By Vanessa McCray
vmccray@record-eagle.com
TRAVERSE CITY — Local peddlers' cost of doing business is going up.
License fees for peddlers to sell goods in Traverse City will double.
City commissioners this week approved a jump in fees from $50 a day to $100 daily in commercial areas between May 16 through Sept. 14. Peddlers will be charged $100 a week during the off-season, up from $50 weekly.
Commissioner Jim Carruthers cast the lone vote against the rate raise, which is effective Sept. 15.
The Downtown Development Authority recommended the increase. Executive Director Bryan Crough cited the city's cost to administer permits and a desire "to have an even playing field" for businesses that pay rent and property taxes.
Crough said research indicates "it's been over 20 years" since the fees charged to peddlers changed.
The hike discourages entrepreneurs and competition, Carruthers countered.
"In a bad economy, where people are losing their jobs, people are trying to be creative about making a living," he said.
Commissioners also scheduled a July 16 vote to rename the peddler license as a "transient merchant" license, in an effort to update terminology.
