GRANVILLE, W.Va. – Granville Mayor Patty Lewis is raising concerns about House Bill 2842 and is asking commissioners in Monongalia County for help.
During the group trip to Charleston for Mon-Preston County Day, Lewis said she first heard of the proposal to repeal municipal licenses and fees.
“We looked at the bill, and we can’t see any further language that would require a business to even register so you know who is doing business in your community,” Lewis said.
According to Lewis, cities and towns in the state are shrinking. Lewis said these small cuts add up to gaps in funding that could negatively impact residents.
“It’s another revenue stream; it’s not that big of a revenue stream, but it’s another cut in a revenue stream for municipalities and towns,” Lewis said.
Lewis voiced concerns for all small cities but really sent a message to commissioners that municipalities will look to them in the future for more funding to maintain services.
“If they keep cutting revenue streams and you start looking at smaller municipalities, it does put the burden back on county commissions,” Lewis added.
For residents, Lewis said zero control over who comes to your city selling products or services is an unsettling idea. Additionally, she said the business license is a check to ensure residents are not subject to fraud or even harm.
“Hopefully, the businesses would have to at least register and let us know,” Lewis said. “I think that’s problematic if you don’t know who is doing business in your city.”