Hermiston will require business permits in 2025

HERMISTON – The Hermiston City Council has approved an ordinance that will add business licenses to the city code. Hermiston is one of a few cities that doesn’t already require permits to open and operate businesses. The new requirement will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

The council tabled the portion of the ordinance that would include a fee structure for the permits. The city modeled a schedule similar to Pendleton’s, but Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said the council tabled that portion to allow time for public input into the actual fee structure.

“This move is part of a larger package of new revenue and spending cuts to shore up the city’s general fund while adding three additional police officer positions,” Morgan said. “The feedback from the community over the past eight months has been that they want to see additional police officers; meanwhile they recognize the need for additional revenue, they wanted new revenue spread between residents, businesses, and visitors, and they wanted to see some spending cuts.”

Morgan said the business licenses, a $5-a-month police staffing fee on utilities, and an increase in the transient lodging tax, the package will generate an estimated $600,000 a year in new revenue. In addition, approximately $450,000 a year in general fund spending cuts (mainly from reducing the amount set aside for the street construction reserve fund) will allow for the three additional officers.

Photo of Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan from the city of Hermiston

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Elkhorn Media Group

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