BERLIN – A decision to increase the town’s business license fee was delayed so officials can explore the possibility of basing the annual fee on location.
The Berlin Town Council on Monday voted unanimously to table a decision regarding the town’s business license fee, which has been proposed to double, following comments by Councilman Dean Burrell, who has served on the council since 1994. Burrell suggested the town charge businesses different license fee amounts based on their location in Berlin.
“In my opinion, the fees should be different for a business in that Main Street corridor as it relates to a business over on Branch Street or over on Old Ocean City Boulevard,” Burrell said.
Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, said that during budget development the idea of increasing the town’s business fee had been recommended. The fee, which is currently $75, has not been changed since it was first implemented in 2009. The proposal included in the fiscal year 2024 budget is to double it this year. Mayor Zack Tyndall said fees were meant to cover the town’s costs associated with a service.
“The town’s costs since 2009 have changed,” he said. “The recommendation to increase the fees was made through the budgeting process.”