City council cracks down on dilenquent business licenses

Business owners who have not paid their business license fees by April 1 will face the prospect of Demopolis Municipal Court.

At Thursday evening’s meeting, the city council voted unanimously to send the city’s ordinance enforcement officer to businesses that have not paid as of April 1, with a notice that they have three days to pay. Those who have not paid within the three days will receive a summons to appear in Municipal Court.

Mayor Mike Grayson, following up on discussion from last meeting, said the list of 113 delinquent business owners has narrowed to 76, and that 15-20 of those 76 are contractors who will not need a license unless they are awarded a job in the city.

Still, he said, the problem of retail and service establishments dragging their feet is an annual occurrence.

“It’s the same ones every year,” said City Building Inspector Clarence Brooker, in response to questioning by the Mayor.

Grayson noted that business owners are sent a notice on Oct. 1 each year that license fees are due Jan. 1. The city gives a grace period until the end of January, he added, and there is a 15% penalty for those who have not paid by Feb. 1 and another 15% if they have not paid by March 1.

“There is no closure, though,” Grayson said, noting that the city needs to establish a final date after which action will be taken.

To eliminate the problem in future years, Grayson asked each council member to bring a plan recommendation to the next meeting.

Also at Thursday’s brief meeting, the council approved Librarian Morgan Allen’s request to seek a $9,375 grant for 12 iPads for the Demopolis Public Library. If awarded, a city match of $1,875 would be required, with the funds coming from next year’s budget.

The Mayor also reported that revenues are slightly ahead of budget and expenses slightly below budget through February.