During tonight’s Antioch City Council meeting, the council will likely approve the funding for a Business License Representative position as a result of the passage of Measure O.
The item, listed within the Consent Calendar, would authorize the City to spend $42,715 on salary and benefits for the position. The funding will come from the General Fund.
Measure O updated Antioch’s business license tax ordinance which now includes a Residential Landlord Business License Tax and to confirm the existing business license tax with an increase in the minimum tax. Measure O imposes an annual business license tax on residential landlords on the rental or leasing of detached single family dwelling units at $250.00 per dwelling unit and attached multi-family dwelling units at $150.00 per dwelling unit. The minimum tax for those businesses subject to the gross receipts tax formula, except for certain home occupation businesses, will be increased to $100.
The election is still not certified; however, Measure O is expected to pass. As of November 24, Measure O is passing by 506 votes—or 51.53% in favor versus 48.47% opposed.
According to the Staff Report, the Business License Representative position was frozen when the City had layoffs when the recession began. Currently, the duties of this position are spread among several staff members.
The report also calls the position “essential” in implementing Measure O. Most cities, and likely all cities of Antioch’s size, have someone dedicated to administering the business license tax program. In addition, it will be a monumental task to determine rental units for those landlords that do not voluntarily comply.
Staff is encouraging the Council to approve the funding of the position so that staff can move forward with recruitment process as new rates and collections will begin January 1, 2015.
If you go:
Antioch City Council
Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7:00 pm
Council Chambers, 200 H Street in Antioch
2 comments
When the measure was originally written by FMBC we put in a provision for salaries up to $300,000. What they have suggested is 1 person initially for $100,000 plus benefits. Mrs. Merchant states “this is a monumental job”. Yes it is, that is why FMBC wants a company brought in to design the data base, set up Measure O for collection, work with the county on the rentals and redo every other collection item the city requires to be paid for anything. Make it one department. They will do this in a total of two years, bring our collections up to date and then surrender the data base and everything back to the city. The city has not collected millions and millions of dollars over the years and that is one reason we are bankrupt. They will do this for an agreed upon percentage but it is worth every dime of it.
Friday Morning Breakfast Club has suggested bringing in a company designed to help cities overcome the monumental task as Mrs Merchant calls it. They design the data base, work with the county to be sure we are getting all the rentals and help us collect all fees all over the city to maximize the income due the city. For two years they get us up and running and turn the whole thing over to us. There is a fee but we will still gross way more than we are getting now. And fewer headaches getting up and running.
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