Anniston increases Business License Fees

The Anniston City Council voted Monday to increase license fees for many local businesses with an update to its rate structure that officials expect could generate $350,000 in annual revenue.

City officials say the change will bring the city's business license rates  in line with those in similar size municipalities. They also say it will add much-needed revenue to a city that has seen its tax sources decline in recent years. Some local business owners say they'd rather not pay a higher fee, but appreciate the city's efforts to negotiate a fair rate increase with them prior to the vote.

Councilman David Reddick was the only council member to vote against the changes. Reddick said raising taxes will just hurt the city.

According to city figures, Anniston has approximately 3,000 business license accounts, 64 percent of which will see a fee increase due to the changes. Businesses will see an average increase of $211 per year. The figures also show that one third of the city's businesses will see no rate increase from the changes.