So, while those are the concerns of entertainers like Ozzie, the minister insists that far too much focus has been placed on the fees, which he can understand and appreciate. Here's how he defended the bill and insisted it provides major improvements to the assessment process:
Oscar Requena - Minister of Local Government
"The Bill is a very progressive bill, and what it seeks to do is really to regulate how business is conducted within the municipalities, as well as the rural area. To a great extent, businesses in rural areas have never really been regulated, and it is important. But I think that a lot of the focus has been lost on the good intentions of this bill, particularly in relation to how it is going to benefit the rural communities but also the towns and cities. I want to say that, for example, under the existing legislation, when the municipalities go in and carry out their assessments, they are not looking only at the productive footprint, the productive space. But, they are looking at the entire area under which the business operates. So, for example, they are going to be looking at the bathrooms, the porch, the parking area, and the trade licenses are going to be assessed on that entire area, as opposed to the new bill where, you know, the assessment is going to be exclusively only the productive footprint. So what this means is that this is an incentive for business owners and property owners to say. We are going to upgrade our business establishments, and we are not going to be affected by additional taxes. As it is right now, the minute you upgrade and make any improvements to your existing business space, you are liable to an increase in your trade license fee. And I think that that is a big difference. I think another very important area to look at is that business establishments within the municipalities, within the towns and cities, are going to be zoned. Their trade license assessment is going to be assessed based on the area where they operate. So, for example, if you have a barbershop on a street and you have a barber shop on Albert Street, and you have a barber shop in Saint Martins, for example, those are two different zones. It is clear that you know, the business on Albert Street quite likely - more than likely, will have a better opportunity to be able to get more business, as opposed to the one that is in the Martins area. So, those are considerations that are going to be taken into account during the assessment of the trade license fees."
According to the Minister, the draft legislation also contemplates an appeal process for business owners who disagree with their assessment. You can hear more when he appears on Sunup on 7 tomorrow morning.
The Public Service, Labour, Industry, and Trade House Committee, which is chaired by State Minister Elvia Vega Samos, will hold a meeting next week Monday at 10 a.m. That's when members of the public will be able to make representations and voice their concerns.
