NLV license fees expected to increase

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 | 8:49 a.m.

Fees for many business licenses and city documents in North Las Vegas are expected to increase, some by as much as 100 percent, following votes tonight by the City Council.

A majority of council members said Tuesday they plan to vote in favor of the increases.

The proposed changes to the annual licensing fees for more than 40 types of businesses would generate another $400,000 in income for the city, according to city documents.

City records say the council would be increasing business license fees for the first time since 1968, and the mayor and some council members say the increases will only bring North Las Vegas' fees in line with fees charged by neighboring jurisdictions.

"I think it's long overdue," Councilman William Robinson said.

"With the comparisons that were done, we are considerably lower than other jurisdictions," Councilman Robert Eliason said.

For example according to research presented by the city, a business license for an accountant in North Las Vegas costs $80 a year, compared with $150 in Las Vegas and Henderson and $300 in Clark County. The proposed changes would increase the cost of the license in North Las Vegas to $150.

Architects now pay $80 a year and would pay $150 a year under the proposed changes. The business license fee for architects is $150 in Las Vegas, $200 in Henderson and $300 in Clark County.

Private detective agencies, which pay $100 a year now, would pay $200 annually, which would make the fee for that business the same as it is now in Las Vegas, Henderson and Clark County.

North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce President Sharon Powers said the chamber was still reviewing the matter and had no comment at this time on the possible business license fee increases.

Mayor Michael Montandon said the city sent a notice of the increases to every current license holder in the city and he hasn't heard any opposition to the increases.

"I haven't heard from businesses," Eliason said, "and I'm sure I would have if it was out of line."

Robinson, Eliason and Montandon said they plan to vote in favor of the increases.

The three also said they plan to vote for proposed changes to fees charged for city documents such as maps, transcripts of meetings and certification of city documents.

"That's not a profit center, we're just trying to keep up with costs," Montandon said.

The proposed changes include charging $10 for legal size and $25 for poster size city ward maps, which are free now; charging $50 per hour, versus $40 an hour, of transcription time for transcripts of meetings; and charging $2 certifications of city documents, as opposed to the current $1.