Norfolk staff will look into creation of registry system for local businesses

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Norfolk staff will look into creation of registry system for local businesses

Norfolk staff will look into creation of registry system for local businesses

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Coun. Adam Veri wants an end to what he calls “a tax on entrepreneurship in Norfolk County.” 

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His motion to eliminate what he says are unfair licensing fees for business owners in the municipality prompted a lengthy discussion at Tuesday’s council-in-committee meeting.  

Councillors directed county staff to investigate the potential of replacing licensing with a registry system, which would have all business owners pay the same nominal fee.  

“We’ll see if this is a more equitable way to do this rather than having some businesses pay nothing and have some businesses paying hundreds and, in some cases, close to thousands,” said Veri.  

Councillors have been receiving complaints from some business owners after council approved, last October, revised user fees and service charges, which came into effect this month. Among them are fees related to planning and development, rental of ice and of halls and community centres, the purchase of dog tags, lottery and marriage licensing, and those for taxi and limousine owners, food truck operators and hotels.  

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The county issued 599 business licenses in 2024, including 182 to food premises, 79 for those operating personal aesthetics operations, 79 for mobile food operations, and 68 for taxi drivers. 

Business licenses have been in place in Norfolk County for a number of years to offset the costs of health and safety inspections and fire safety compliance to reduce the impact on taxpayers for providing these services. 

In 2024, business licensing fees brought in about $45,000 to the county. With the fee hike, that is expected to increase to about $68,000 this year. 

Jennifer Cassidy, who operates Urban Edge Hair Salon from her Simcoe home, paid $18 for her business license in 2024. This year, her fee jumped to $150. A notice she received from the county clerk’s office said the increase brings Norfolk more in line with those charged by comparable municipalities, including Brant and Haldimand, and would bring the county closer to achieving full cost recovery for providing licensing services, including municipal health and safety inspections. 

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A report from county clerk William Tigert outlined some of the reasons for municipal business licensing in Ontario, including public health and safety protection; zoning and land use control; economic and development growth; and revenue generation. 

But Veri said business owners already pay much higher taxes than other Norfolk property owners. 

“We’re charging the businesses an additional fee on top of the higher tax rate that they’re already paying, which should cover the services they’re receiving,” said Veri. 

“It sounds like we charge the licensing fee just because we’re allowed to.” 

Tigert said if businesses aren’t billed for inspections and other costs, the expense will be borne by all taxpayers. 

“Maintaining some license fees will do two things,” said Tigert’s report. “First, continue to assist in offsetting the costs associated with the required municipal inspections; and two, provide some higher level of legitimacy requiring businesses to identify themselves to the municipality for licensing and oversight inspections.” 

But Coun. Chris VanPaassen said that could potentially be accomplished through a registration process that requires “brick and mortar” business owners to pay a nominal fee of $25, for example. 

“It could be a simpler, more fair system,” said VanPaassen.  

A staff report on the matter will come back to councillors at a later date.  

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