Businesses soon may have to pay a little more to operate in Holmes Beach.
Commissioners voted unanimously and without discussion March 22 to approve the first reading of an ordinance calling for an across the board 5 percent business tax increase.
The ordinance moves on to a public hearing and final vote April 12.
The state allows the city to increase business taxes by a maximum of 5 percent every two years.
The ordinance also lists a new category for shuttle service vehicles. Shuttle service owners will pay a new tax rate of $60.77 per vehicle.
Another category added was for golf cart and low-speed vehicle rentals, which requires business owners to pay a business tax of $121.55, but no fee per vehicle.
New car sales and repair centers will pay $121.55 in annual business tax. A used car sales and repair center will pay $91.16.
Taxi and limousine services will pay $60.77 for the first six cars.
Garages and gas stations will be required to pay a $121.55 fee. Car wash and vehicle detailing service providers pay $91.16 in business tax each year.
Vehicle rentals, including motorcycles, Segways and scooters, will pay $121.55 for the business. The fee is not charged per vehicle.
Salons and barbershops will be charged $66.84 for up to three chairs, with $2.44 for each additional stylist chair.
Boat dealers will pay $91.16, while boatyard and marinas pay $121.55.
Charter or sightseeing boats will be charged by the number of passengers they can accommodate. For boats with a capacity of up to six people, the business tax will be $60.77, up to 21 people will be $91.16, while boats with room for 22 or more passengers will pay $121.55.
Jet Ski or similar personal watercraft vehicle rentals will be charged $60.77 per vehicle.
Coin-operated devices will be charged a business tax of $18.23 each.
Co-contractors, general and subcontractors will pay $91.16.
Financial institutions will pay $121.55, including mortgage companies, commercial banks, credit unions and savings and loan.
Laundries, dry cleaners and self-service coin-operated laundries will pay $91.16 in business tax.
Retail or wholesale merchants pay business tax based on the value of merchandise stock. Stores with stock valued at up to $5,000 will pay $60.77 in business tax. Those with stock valued up to $10,000 pay $91.16 and, if stock is worth more than $10,000, the store will pay $121.55.
Each rental property unit will be assessed $30.38 in business tax while rental and property management companies will pay $121.55.
Hotels and motels with six or less units will pay $30.38 per unit, while those with seven or more units will pay $182.32 plus $3.64 per unit.
Activity rental companies, including paddleboards, kayaks, bicycles and beach supplies, will pay $91.16 each.
Restaurants, bars and other similar establishments will pay the business tax based on seating capacity. Those with a capacity up to 25 people will pay $91.16. For those with capacity up to 50 people capacity, the tax will be $121.55. If a bar or restaurant has seating for 100 people, there will be a $151.93 tax, while those with capacity for more than 100 will pay $182.32.
Services will require a $60.77 business tax. Other professionals, including tattoo artists, insurance sales, massage therapists, physicians and any other profession that requires state licensing will pay $121.55 each, unless the professional is paid only a straight salary.
People with at-home businesses will pay $60.77 each.
Warehouse and mini-storage companies will pay $91.16 each.
Business taxes are paid to the city annually.
The business tax increase ordinance will have a public hearing and final reading when commissioners next meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.