The city of Independence is moving forward with plans to modify its fee structure for door-to-door businesses. This change aims to simplify the application process for companies operating within the city limits. Discussions regarding the new structure began in November 2023, following conversations between City Administrator Chris Moriconi and City Clerk Gina Rawe, who presented their concerns to the City Council.
During a council meeting on Monday night, Mayor Chris Reinserman emphasized that the current licensing process for solicitors was burdensome and costly. “We were spending a lot of time on these solicitors’ licenses,” he stated. “The fees were not covering that time.”
Currently, the fee for an initial application from a company stands at $50, with an additional $25 charged for each individual license required for a company’s agents. This structure has proven inadequate, particularly as some companies deploy teams of salespeople, each needing to be licensed.
To address these issues, the proposed changes will establish a more streamlined and uniform fee structure. Under the new plan, the application fee will be set at $75 for each applicant, regardless of the number of agents involved. Notably, political and religious canvassers will remain exempt from these fees.
The City Council conducted a first reading of the ordinance that enshrines these changes during the meeting. A final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for next month, indicating that the proposal is moving through the necessary legislative processes.
The adjustments are intended to alleviate the administrative burden on city staff while ensuring that the fees charged reflect the costs incurred during the licensing process. This initiative illustrates Independence’s commitment to improving the efficiency of local governance and supporting business operations within the city.
Residents and interested parties can review the proposed ordinance online, where the significant changes have been highlighted for clarity. As Independence takes these steps, it seeks to create a more conducive environment for door-to-door sales while maintaining regulatory oversight.
