Riverton City approved a budget that eliminates its annual $200 license fee for all businesses except those that sell alcohol or fireworks, making it the first city in Salt Lake County to go fee free.
“We understand the value our local businesses provide to our city and our residents,” Mayor Trent Staggs said in a prepared statement Thursday. “By eliminating the business licensing fee, we want to send a clear message that Riverton is open for business.”
Staggs proposed elimination of the business license fee in his budget recommendation and it was adopted in the final budget approved Tuesday by the City Council. No-fee licensing takes effect July 1, and applies to new licenses and renewals.
The estimated revenue loss of $90,000 to $95,000 will be offset by an uptick in sales-tax receipts, city officials said.
Fireworks vendors and outlets that serve or sell alcohol were exempted because they are believed to have a greater impact on the city and its services, said spokesman Casey Saxton.
