Earlier this year we told you about the planned transition in the way town councils assess trade license fees. The plan was that as of January of 2025, trade licenses would be charged based on the productive footprint of the business - as opposed to a percentage of the rental value. The new system - it was said - would provide more predictability and revenue neutrality - and give councils a modest bump in revenue.
Well, that was the plan, but reliable sources tell 7News that much to the dismay of mayors and town administrators - Cabinet has decided - pretty much at the last minute - to put in on pause. Reports tell us that the decision was made last week to push implementation back to October of 2025 - because, of course, politics. The new regime was projected to increase license fees by about 10% - and allow villages also to assess fees - which, in an elections climate, is viewed like a tax increase - and Cabinet resisted that.
We are told there is some disappointment in the city, town and village councils as well as the Ministry of Local Government since public education and sensitization had already been done and they were all looking forward to the increased revenue.
