HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/1999 - STAFF REPORTS (7) DATE: October 20, 1999
TO: City Council
FROM: Director of Finance&Treasurer
BUSINESS LICENSE AMENDMENT-SWAP MEETS
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council amend the Business License Ordinance to reduce the tax
for Swap Meets from$2.00 per vendor per day to$5.00 per vendor per year,with a minimum
annual charge of$1060.
BACKGROUND:
The current$2.00 per vendor per day tax for Swap Meet operators was established in 1994 to
accommodate the operator of the Market Fair Swap Meet. However, that operation was not a
financial success and was closed after about a year.
In July, 1999, the City was approached by representatives of TelPhil Enterprises,Inc., operator of
the Orange County Market Place,a successful and well-established swap meet in Costa Mesa.
TelPhil requested a reduction of the Business License Tax to$1040 per year for the first five
years;a$5.00 per vendor per year tax would take effect in year six.
The matter was brought before the City Council at the September 29, 1999 Study Session.
Council expressed their support of the proposed project,and asked that staff work with TelPhil to
reach an accommodation.
TelPhil has offered to pay a business license tax at the same rate as in Costa Mesa: $5.00 per
vendor per year,with an annual minimum of$1060.
Depending on vendor turnover, this will likely produce a business license tax in the range of
$2000 to$4000 per year.
As TelPhil has pointed out,the more significant economic benefit to the City will be in new sales
tax collections. TelPhil has promised to help ensure that on-site sales are properly reported to the
State, and that the City receives its rightful share of sales taxes.
The proposed amendment changes the business license tax reference from$2.00 to$5.00 per
vendor, changes the rate of collection from per day to per year, and establishes a minimum annual
tax of S1060.
This appears to be a reasonable compromise, and one that has the potential to generate significant
Wes tax revenue. Staff recommends approval.
pproved Submitted by: L°
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Rob W ns N Thomas M. Kanarr
City Manager Director of Finance&Treasurer
Attachments: Legislative Draft
Amended Ordinance
Al
i •
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTION 3.84.365 OF THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE TO CHANGE THE DAILY
RATE TO AN ANNUAL RATE, TO CHANGE THE RATE
REFERENCE FROM 3.90210(AA)($2.00)TO 3.90.210(E)
($5.00), AND TO SET A MIN MLJM ANNUAL RATE OF
$1060.
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The City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California,does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 3.94.365 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is hereby amended to read
as follows
3,84,365 Swao Meets. For the business of selling goods or property of any kind or
description at a swap meet,the tax rate applicable to swap meet vendors or individuals selling at
each space or location within said swap meet shall be the annual rate set forth in Section 3.90.210
(e), with an annual minimum rate of$1060.
SECTION 3. Severability. In the event any section,subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or
portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed as a separate, distinct, and independent
provision,and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
Ordinance.
SECTION 4. Publication. The City Clerk is hereby ordered and directed to certify to the passage
of this Ordinance,and to cause the same or a summary thereof or a display advertisement, duly
prepared according to law,to be published in accordance with the law.
ADOPTED this day of 1999.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By
City Clerk Mayor
REVIEWED& APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Legislative Draft
3,84,365 Swap meets. For the business of selling goods or property of any kind or
description at a swap meet,the tax rate applicable to swap meet vendors or individuals selling at
each space or location within said swap meet shall be the daily mmual rate set forth in Section
3.90.210(aa)(e), with an awwl minimum rate of$1060.