Warner Robins Council reduces business costs for transient vendors

WARNER ROBINS — The cost for temporary vendors to conduct business in Warner Robins dropped significantly Tuesday night as City Council voted unanimously to amend its ordinance regarding transient vendors.

Under the old ordinance, businesses operating within city limits for less than 12 months were required to pay $100 per day. The revision makes such licenses equal to the flat-rate occupation tax that permanent businesses pay annually.

Though the occupation tax amount varies depending on the type and size of a business, transient vendors will see a reduction in costs. The revision also adds a $15 per day charge for every operation, said City Clerk Bill Harte.

In another matter, City Council heard a first reading of a newly amended ordinance that gives the city less control over taxicab services.

“There’s been a new state law, so (most regulation) is going to be turned over to the Department of Public Safety and the state,” said Councilwoman Carolyn Robbins. “So, we’re going to delete the section that deals with taxicabs and put in certain (rules). We’ll still have an application, and the fee will be $100.”

The name of the driver and the serial number of the car are two of a few things the city will require on a license application, Robbins said.

City Council also heard the first reading of the 2015 millage rate, which will remain at 9.99 mills for the fourth consecutive year. A final reading and adoption are expected at the Sept. 21 meeting.

“Our taxes have stayed the same and we’ve been very, very fortunate that we’ve been able to do that over the last couple years,” Robbins said. “It’s not an easy thing to do.”

In other news, a last-minute agenda item changing the city’s new vehicle take-home policy was read by Councilman Tim Thomas.

Currently, employees aren’t allowed to transport people unless it pertains to official city business, Thomas said.

“However, police department and fire department will be able to take their minor children and step children to school and daycares as long as they provide a waiver of liability,” he said. The new ordinance specifies that children must be minors.

“These guys do not make a lot of money as it is,” Thomas said of the city’s emergency personnel. “The benefit of being able to take their children to school, and not only that, but our police cars being seen at these schools everyday is a good thing.”

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published September 8, 2015 at 7:56 PM with the headline "Warner Robins Council reduces business costs for transient vendors ."