Local News in Brief : Anaheim : Council Delays Action on Business License Hike

Action on a plan to raise business license fees for the first time in 30 years was postponed Tuesday, when the City Council voted instead to consider a scaled-down increase.

Citing opposition by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce to any tax increase, City Council members delayed action on a proposal that would have hiked annual license collections to $4 million from $1.5 million currently. On a motion by Councilman William D. Ehrle, the council opted to consider a plan with lower rates on gross receipts for four categories of businesses that would raise $3 million annually. A vote on that plan could come on Aug. 30.

Mayor Ben Bay blamed the delay on election year politics. Bay, who opposes the increase plans, said his “hopes to see political courage (on the City Council) were for naught.”

City Treasurer Mary Turner had recommended approval of the $4-million increase plan. But council members voted with Ehrle to delete a cost-of-living clause in the fee hike proposal, thereby postponing a final vote.