\'\'
Home   >   News   >   Local News   >   One Reading Down, Two to Go, for Burlington Franchise Fee

One Reading Down, Two to Go, for Burlington Franchise Fee

By on March 19, 2013
Top Story Logo

THE BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL LAST NITE GAVE THE FIRST OF THREE APPROVALS NEEDED TO INSTITUTE A NEW, THREE PERCENT FRANCHISE FEE ON ELECTRIC AND GAS BILLS.

MAYOR JIM DAVIDSON SAYS IT’S NOT REALLY THREE PERCENT, BECAUSE IT WOULD SUPERCEDE THE ONE PERCENT LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX.   IF ENACTED, THE FEE IS EXPECTED TO ADD ABOUT 800-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR TO THE CITY’S COFFERS.   BUT LEON SHAHAN…THE ONLY ONE TO OBJECT DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING…SAYS THE AMOUNT DOESN’T MATTER – IT SHOULDN’T BE LEVIED. 

 

BY STATE CODE, THE FEE CAN GO UP TO FIVE PERCENT…BUT IF ABOUT 300 CITY RESIDENTS SIGN A PETITION OF OPPOSITION BY MAY 9TH, THE FEE WOULD BE PUT TO A DIRECT VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.