A new bylaw was approved Sept. 23 by Cochrane council, which looks to streamline the town’s procedures of purchasing a business licence.
With its approval, the bylaw sees four amendments, the first changing the deadline when business owners can purchase their licence from Dec. 1 to Jan. 31 of the following year.
The change is intended to give business owners more time to pay for their fees and would not be issued any penalty until Feb. 1.
Penalty fees have also change. Licence fees not paid by Feb. 1 will be levied a flat—rate penalty of $30 instead of 15 per cent of the total owing.
The third modification is to allow the ability for business owners to purchase their full year licence issued after Jan. 31 at a pro-rated fee calculated for the remaining months in the year.
Lastly, the requirement for town administration to send out business licence invoices at least 45 days prior to the Jan. 1 start of the licence term has been removed.
Councillor Joann Churchill said the amendments to the bylaw adds more efficiency and works for local businesses.
