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Galesburg Businesses Might be Asked to Register with City

T.J. Carson
Businesses such as the Iron Spike and the Pizza House on East Simmons Street in Galesburg would have to register with the city if the municipal code is amended.

Galesburg's city manager believes a business registration program could help the city and local businesses. Aldermen will be asked as early as next month to amend the municipal code to create the program.

The issue was first discussed at this week’s City Council meeting. The ordinance would require businesses to submit information that includes the business owner’s name, the services the business provides, and whether the business has hazardous materials. 

City Manager Todd Thompson said it would help the city to identify what services are being provided by the businesses.  He said the ordinance would also benefit those who want to start a business.

“For instance, we’ve had people buy properties before with the intent to open up businesses only to find out later on down the line that the zoning wasn’t correct. So then you have to take action to correct that or it can cause problems,” Thompson said.

Thompson said the registry would help the city know who to contact businesses in an emergency situation. He said it would also help with tax collections, and it would give the city an idea of what services are lacking locally.

Registration would be free for the first year.  The city would then determine whether a registration fee is necessary.

“(The) proposal was that after a year, we would actually look at what it costs us, with both respect to hard costs -- money for postage and things like that -- as well as soft costs -- staff time primarily -- and bring that back to the council,” Thompson said.

Thompson said some businesses that would already be registered under state law would not need to register with the city. Online registration is being considered as part of the plan.