Enumclaw Council OKs State to Help With Business Licenses

The Enumclaw City Council this week approved for the state to help the city issue business licenses to save staff time and money.

Community Development Director Erika Shook said that the move would save 90 to 120 hours of staff time a year. “The city would still review and make final approval,” Shook said.

Shook apparently was able to answer previous concerns about the measure by changing wording in the document.

A previous concern was that businesses outside the city would have to get licenses for doing business within the city. Shook explained that by charging them it levels the playing field for businesses located in the city. In surveying other towns she said about half make businesses outside their city obtain licenses.

Another concern was the measure would increase the cost for home businesses, raising the license fee from $35 to $50.

Another concern was to protect citizens from fly-by-night operations. Shook explained the new system would do a better job of that because the business license process includes background checks. If a business outside of the city, therefore, had to get a business license the background check would be a benefit to citizens.

Another complaint was more layers of government. But Shook explained by partnering with the state it actually makes it more convenient for businesses because they only would have to go to one place instead of two to get the license.

Shook said she also went to the business community for input, which was another earlier concern of the council.