New Westminster is interested in taking part in an inter-municipal business licence pilot program.
Staff in the cities of Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Delta and Surrey have been working on this project, with assistance from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skill Training, for several months and have invited New Westminster to participate in the pilot project.
Council agreed in principle to participate in the pilot program and directed staff to prepare the bylaws that are needed to implement the program.
"The proposed program is closely modeled after the pilot project implemented by the Fraser Valley municipalities," stated a staff report.
Businesses operating in more than one municipality require a separate business licence from each jurisdiction, but the Community Charter allows municipalities to collaborate and implement an inter-municipal business licensing program that allows specific types of businesses to buy one licence, allowing them to operate in multiple municipalities, according to the staff report. The pilot project would apply to construction-related businesses.
Under the proposed revenue-sharing model, the City of New Westminster would receive 9.34 per cent of the total revenues from the licences.
"New Westminster is currently generating approximately $85,000 annually from business licences associated with non-resident contractors," said the report. "The proposed revenue sharing model is expected to result in a slight increase in revenues (i.e. approximately $2,600). However, if the program increases compliance by a modest rate of five per cent as is expected, revenues could increase by approximately $15,000."
