The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is considering the repeal of a nearly 30-year-old law requiring companies to purchase and display a borough-issued business license.Each borough license carries a $100 fee and must be renewed every two years. Businesses operating in Alaska must also hold a state-issued license, which carries a $50 annual fee. And those in Palmer, Wasilla or Houston city limits are also required to carry a city-issued license, which cost $25 each year.
Business license fees in Mat-Su esssentially function as a tax, according to a memo accompanying the proposal. The proposal is sponsored by DeVries and borough Assembly members Dee McKee, whose district includes parts of Palmer and Wasilla, and Rob Yundt, whose district includes Wasilla. Information on the total number of business licenses currently registered with the borough was not immediately available.