Business Licenses and Permits

Council officials in Missoula, Montana, are debating a proposal to increase business license fees for firms in the city.

Put forward by mayor John Engen in his budget, the proposal sets out to change the way business licenses are assessed for each type of business.

Currently, new business licenses cost between $74 and $1,830 depending on the number of employees, a fee that remains the same in each year of renewal.

However, NBC Montana reported that the process may change to reflect the type of business, the number of employees and where it is located.

The cost of renewals would also fall, requiring new businesses to pay more for their permit and removing a system whereby firms subsidize new players in the market.

Council member Lyn Hellegaard has opposed the changes. Speaking to the news provider, she said: “If it is more expensive for you to do a start-up business in Missoula, why would you come here, when you could go to Hamilton or Stevensville or Polson where they are not doing this type of stuff?”

Tags: business licenses, business permits, licenses, permits