Businesses have until Jan. 31 to renew licenses

By Staff
Haley Aaron, Hartselle Enquirer
All business privilege licenses issued by the city expired Dec. 31, except licenses issued to contractors. Businesses have until Jan. 31 to renew their licenses without receiving a penalty.
A 15 percent penalty is applied to license renewals that are 30 days late. If the license is not renewed within 60 days, the fine increases to 30 percent.
This year has brought a few changes to business privilege licenses. The issuance fee has increased from $5 to $10. According to Privilege License Clerk Renee Shadden, this is the first change that has been made in the city’s business license policy in 30 years.
Shadden estimates she mailed approximately 2,800 expiration notices to individuals and corporations doing business in Hartse;lle in December.
Last year, the sale and renewal of business privilege licenses generated $632,000 of revenue for the city, and the estimate for 2008 is $640,000.
License fees may be paid at the Hartselle Municipal Building.
The office is open between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday.