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Nakusp businessman demands money back from village

A local businessman is demanding the money back he spent on business license fees from the last few years after council recently wrote off the delinquent charges before 2010.

A local businessman is demanding the money back he spent on business license fees from the last few years after council recently wrote off the delinquent charges before 2010.

The issue was brought up by Coun. Ulli Mueller at the regular council meeting on Feb. 22, saying she had a long conversation with a man who was very upset about their decision. She did not disclose the name of the man.

“He’s requested his money back that he’s paid for the last few years,” Mueller said. “Because we’ve forgiven the outstanding amounts prior to 2009.”

Nakusp mayor Karen Hamling said she understands his complaint, but they’ve done the best job they can and they won’t be refunding any money.

“I think what people have to recognize is no system is perfect,” she said. “The amount of money we forgave was over several years. We’re not going to be giving any money back. So forget about that. It’s not happening.”

Coun. Mueller said she explained how the village may have been responsible for not sending out the late fee notices or explaining the penalty, so they could not in good conscience charge these people who may never have been billed.

“He was still quite concerned,” Mueller said. “He suggested we put an ad in the paper pointing out to people that if you own a business and you’re not billed, you still have to pay.”

Mueller went on to say this spoke to a larger issue that the village council isn’t informed of every new business that opens.

“How do you ascertain when someone has opened a business?” she asked. “Who, from staff, really goes through from the list every year and makes sure everyone’s on there?”

“I think we’re going to get several people coming to us saying they want their money back,” Mueller said.