City Shouldn't Charge Fees "Just Because It Can"
- 55 minutes ago
- 1 min read
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Verndale City Council held their regular meeting on July 13. Mayor Tara Erckenbrack was absent.
Clash Over THC Licensing Fee and Sign Ordinance
Brian Hagen raised concerns about the city’s new THC licensing fee and how it enforces its sign rules.
Hagen questioned the $125 fee for a THC license, pointing out that he already pays fees to the state. He wanted to know what specific costs the city has for regulating THC. He argued that as a non-profit government, the city shouldn’t charge fees just because it can. He believes any fee should relate to actual expenses, like inspections or staff time.
City Clerk Melissa Current noted that the county does most of the compliance work, but there is some local administrative time involved.
Hagen insisted that the city should have figured these costs out before approving the fee and warned that high fees could harm small businesses.
Hagen also challenged the city’s enforcement of its sign rules. He mentioned that small business signs have been allowed on roads for over ten years without any issues. He questioned why his temporary Pirate’s Den signs in the right-of-way are now a problem.
Maintenance Supervisor Matt Uselman referred to the ordinance, which does not allow permanent signs in the right-of-way, but permits temporary signs like garage sale notices.
Hagen argued that the city should support small businesses more and that strict rules might make downtown even less busy...
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