CAREFREE TRUTH
Carefree Truth #340
Carefree Truth
Issue #340, August 18, 2014
Gary Neiss told the Council there are frequent requests for business licenses from businesses based outside of Carefree that conduct business within the town. They have them in other communities where they are not based but where they do business. A policy change would allow Carefree to collect the $40 license fee.
Councilman Mike Farrar asked if they would have the same access to announce public trade shows, etc., being held through the Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Neiss explained that the kiosk in the Carefree Gardens has been utilized solely to advertise events occurring in the Town Center. It is a separate issue, and the kiosk would remain dedicated to acting as the "face" for those activities.
Councilwoman Melissa Price asked what types of businesses were requesting licenses. Mr. Neiss replied that they are contractors and service businesses. When the tenant improvements for the combined courts were being made to the Cave Creek court space, each contractor was contacted by the Town of Cave Creek and was required to obtain the $50 Cave Creek business license before beginning work on the project. This is typical in other communities as well. Ms. Price said she had concerns that the requirement of a business license would be a "turn off" when compared to doing business in Cave Creek, but since Cave Creek also requires it, she was satisfied. Councilman Glenn Miller assured her that Cave Creek has been requiring it for years. Councilman Marty Saltzman added that it doesn't give anyone the "right" to have a business license, just the opportunity to apply for one.
Al Swanson, of Venues Cafe, questioned whether it would negatively impact the revenue for fees collected by the Town from the vendors at downtown art shows, since they currently have to pay a license fee for each show. He wanted to know if they could now just purchase a one time license for a year. Mr. Neiss assured him that vendor licenses were a separate procedure that it would not change.
Ex-Councilman Greg Gardner asked for a definition of "business". He wanted to know if licenses would be required for individuals such as house sitters, shuttle drivers, yardmen, private Realtors and insurance agents based outside of Carefree, and installers from Lowe's, for example. What about the "big boys" from UPS, Fed Ex, and APS? Mr. Neiss answered that small service based businesses are exempt in the Town Code. The "big boys" are covered by their employers. Mr. Gardner joked, "Last but not least, when I go off to eternity, will the hearse driver have to have a license?" "My wife will ask them, 'Do you have a license?' " Mr. Miller jokingly assured him that the mortuaries cover that. Councilman John Crane asked if beauticians are required to have licenses. Mr. Neiss said that every one working within Carefree does have one.
Vice Mayor Les Peterson asked if the wording is consistent with Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Cave Creek. Mr. Neiss said it is consistent with the surrounding jurisdictions. He added that Cave Creek collects approximately $60,000 annually for business license fees. At $50 each, obviously there are many businesses outside of Cave Creek that contribute, as there is not the critical mass in Cave Creek to substantiate that number. Mr. Neiss heard it is done using the honor system. Many want licenses to show they are reputable.
The Vice Mayor felt that this was the first step towards ultimately protecting Carefree citizens. This allows the Town to ask questions such as, "Do you have insurance? Are you hiring people who are eligible to be here, that are residents of this country, etc. It isn't just collecting monies; it's the first step towards monitoring who comes in, as opposed to a fly-by-night operation."
Mr. Farrar asked for confirmation that this was simply amending the existing Ordinance. Mr. Neiss said, "Correct." The Council unanimously voted to approve it.
Lyn Hitchon
