Georgia county could raise license fees on large employers

MACON, Ga. (AP) - Large businesses could soon be paying more for yearly business licenses in one middle Georgia community.

Businesses in Macon-Bibb County currently pay a $65 base charge, plus a $39-per-employee fee that is capped at 250 employees. That brings the total license cost to a maximum of $9,815 per year.

The Telegraph of Macon reports Macon-Bibb Commissioner Virgil Watkins wants to remove the employee cap. Watkins says other large Georgia cities don’t cap per-employee fees, and Macon-Bibb County needs the revenue to pay for services to those businesses.

The county says 14 businesses would face higher fees.

Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce President Yvonne Watkins said Tuesday the change would hurt the county’s competitiveness.

A committee could vote this month to send the increase proposal to the full commission.

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Information from: The Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com