CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

Starting in 2021

Brooks eliminating business license fee, increasing franchise fee

Oct 20, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The City of Brooks is taking steps to support local businesses, no longer charging a business license fee beginning next year.

To offset the cost of revenue to city coffers, franchise fees will increase effective Jan. 1. Brooks receives franchise fee revenue each month from both Fortis Alberta and ATCO Gas based on a percentage of their delivery tariff revenues. The estimated impact of these combined increases to residential customers is approximately $2.18 per month.

“By increasing franchise fees and eliminating business license fees for our Brooks Region businesses, we can reduce red tape and further support our local businesses,” says Mayor Barry Morishita.

Reducing red tape and encouraging private sector investment is one requirement of the grants the City of Brooks received through the Alberta Municipal Stimulus Program.

Other steps taken by Brooks include not charging development permit fees or the City’s portion of the building permit fees in 2020 and making changes to the Land Use Bylaw and improving the development process overall

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Businesses outside of the Brooks Region will continue to pay for a business license.