By Ray King
An ordinance requiring businesses serving food or hospitality to obtain a permit from the Advertising and Promotion Commission in addition to an occupation license was approved by a divided Pine Bluff City Council Monday but not before a lot of disagreement and distention.
In addition to requiring the permit, which was read for the first time at the first meeting in October, provides that failure to obtain the permit is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000, and/or 30 days in jail.
The final vote on the ordinance was 5-3, with council members Steven Mays, Lanette Frazier and Latisha Brunson voting no. Voting yes were Council Members Lloyd Holcomb Jr., Glen Brown Jr., Bruce Lockett, Glen Brown Sr., and Steven Shaner.
After the meeting, Frazier explained her opposition.
Lockett said the permit, which will be at no cost to the business, will allow the A&P Commission to keep up with businesses that are required to collect the so-called hamburger tax.
Also Monday, an ordinance rezoning approximately 44 acres on U.S. Highway 65 South from Residential and Highway Commercial to Agriculture-Residential after the council voted to suspend the rules and read it three times.
A budget adjustment transferring $1,409,416 from the 2017 Sales Tax (Go Forward tax) to the Delta Rhythm and Bayous Cultural District was approved with no dissent. The money was designated for salaries and benefits and program costs.
