FORT SMITH - The Fort Smith City Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to hold a second reading of two budgetary items passed last week.
As part of the 2018 operating budget, the board voted to assess a $100 annual fee to all businesses in the city of Fort Smith. Also going up are franchise fees on several city utilities.
The Board also voted 4-3 to reinstate the controversial business licensing fee of $100 annually that was replaced in 1994 by a one-cent sales tax. The revenues are expected to bring in some $480,000 towards the city budget, however the fee will not be assessed against new businesses for a period of one year.
Directors Don Hutchings, Tracy Pennartz, and Kevin Settle voted against the measure. One of those voting against the measure told InsideFortSmith.Com readers via our Facebook page Wednesday morning he was disappointed that the measure passed.
“I spoke against this & voted against it.” Hutchings said in a comment on the story. “Sorry that it passed. Our budget is strong.”
State law requires that the ordinance is read three times in order to pass.
