(A) Every person and business entity engaged in any business in the city shall be required to apply for and obtain a business license from the city before the commencement of business or in the event of a change of business status each calendar year.
(1) Licensees are required to notify the city of any changes in address, the cessation of business, or any other changes which render the information supplied to the city in the license application inaccurate.
(2) Business license fee leveed and imposed by this chapter shall be $50.
(B) License applications will be obtainable at the City Building or online on the city’s website. Information collected on the form shall include, but is not limited to: business name, address, contact number, tax identification number, name of the ownership and contact information for the authorized representative who is responsible for the operating and managing the business in the city, emergency contacts, a brief description of the business, date of on which the business will begin and any and all information the city determines is appropriate to collect.
(C) The giving of false or intentionally misleading information on the application shall be grounds for denial of the license applied for or, if a license has been granted, revocation thereof upon discovery.
(D) All applications for licenses hereunder shall be subject to review by the CAO who shall endorse his or her decision for approval or denial. The CAO may refer an application to any other official, employee, or department of the city or cooperating authority, such as the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, as he or she deems appropriate for review. The CAO may require such additional information from the applicant as deemed reasonable in order to make a decision on the application.
(1) After review, the CAO may approve, approve conditionally, or deny the license. If denied, the CAO must provide a written explanation of the grounds of denial. The applicant has the right to appeal to the City Commission, in writing submitted to the city, within thirty (30) days of the denial.
(2) If interested in challenging the denial, written statements shall include the grounds upon which to avoid such decision. The City Commission may consider the appeal at the next regular monthly Commission meeting but must be received five (5) business days prior to. The order of the City Commission on the appeal shall be final.
(3) Revoked business licenses may result in barring the previous license holder for a period of up to two (2) years as determined by the City Commission.
(E) All business licenses expire on December 31 of that calendar year.
(F) Business licenses may be purchased for the next calendar year starting in November of the preceding year.
(G) All vetting guidelines provided in division (D) of this section shall not be needed for renewal of a license unless there is a material change in the ownership, location, or type of business being conducted.
(Ord. 2022-09, passed 5-2-22)