North Augusta city council members have approved first reading of the business license ordinance that includes a new category.
Called the Special Events Promoter license, it is designed to streamline large events, such as Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee and Fall Fest.
Currently, each individual vendor must buy a business license to participate. The new category calls for the event organizer to buy one license to cover all vendors.
The cost of the new license will be on a sliding scale connected to the number of days of the event and the gross income. It will range from $40 on a one-day event with a gross income up to $2,000 to $200 for a two-day event with a gross income over $5,001.
In other action, council voted unanimously to approve the 2022 budget. The total budget is just under $48 million and includes a 4% cost of living adjustment for all employees. The current budget is just over $44.6 million.
MORE: North Augusta City Council Takes First Look at 2022 Budget
Mayor Briton Williams announced two contests aimed at getting students excited about the city.
There is a drawing contest for students in grades one through four in all public and private schools as well as those home-schooled in North Augusta.
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Said Williams, “They’ll submit a drawing to illustrate the theme what superpower does the Mayor of the City of North Augusta need. We’ll put all those at the Arts and Heritage Center the weekend of the tour of homes.”
MORE: North Augusta City Council Firm on Choice for Public Safety Headquarters Site
Students in grades five through 12 can submit an essay on the topic “If I were Mayor of North Augusta, what would I do to make the city a better place to live.”
Students who write the winning essay from each grade will be recognized at the Dec. 20 council meeting.
“I think it’s important in this day and age with everything we see nationally about government, that one, we let our youth understand that, ‘Hey, you know what, no matter if I’m in fifth grade, or sixth grade, I can have a voice and that can make our community better,'” said Williams. “And the second thing is that I think we can start framing a conversation with our youth and our children, that there are actually good things that local government can do and are doing. Not everything they hear and read about has to be negative.”
The deadline to enter both contests is Nov. 29.
The information is available on the city website.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
