Duluth Changes Due Date for Occupational Taxes

The Duluth City Council voted to change the date that occupational taxes, also known as business license fees, are due to make it more convenient for local business owners. The due date was changed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 30.

City Attorney Stephen Pereira explained that the deadline for paying occupational taxes is 90 days from the due date. With a Jan. 30 due date, the deadline becomes April 30. By then businesses have filed their federal income tax returns and have the necessary financial information available. Duluth’s occupational taxes are based on gross receipts. “There are no other significant changes and no impact to the fee structure,” Pereira said. The vote followed a public hearing at the council’s Aug. 8 meeting.

The council also conducted a public hearing at that meeting on an amendment to the city charter changing the title of the city administrator to city manager. The change was approved on first vote. A second vote is scheduled at the council’s Sept. 12 meeting because it is a charter change. Current City Administrator Phil McLemore plans to retire at the end of the year, and a search is underway for his replacement. 

Councilwoman Marsha Bomar said that McLemore has been functioning as a city manager, but the title of the position had not been changed. Traditionally a city manager oversees the police department, and a city administrator does not, she said. McLemore’s duties include oversight of the Duluth Police Department.

Sam Eskinazi, owner of Fairway Carwash, formerly Carnette’s on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, appeared before the council to complain about the new stormwater fee.  His car wash has a system that keeps water from entering the city’s storm sewers, he said, yet he can only obtain a partial fee reduction. The fee is based on the amount of impervious surface.

Dusty Graham expressed concern that water would collect on a vacant wooded lot in the neighborhood as a result of proposed improvements to McClure Bridge Road and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Duluth Planning Director Glenn Coyne said the city’s engineering consultant is confident the drainage plan will work, but he will ask the engineer to review it.