The Destin City Council voted unanimously on Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, to establish an Equity Study Commission, required by Florida Statutes, to evaluate and make recommendations related to the city’s business tax ordinance, also known as Business Tax Receipts.
The commission will be formed by each city councilmember (7) and the mayor (1) nominating one person from a pool of applicants who have expressed written interest in serving as a member of the Equity Study Commission. Applicant qualifications: must be a resident of the City of Destin (for at least one year), a registered voter and a representative of the business community within the city.
All businesses operating within the city limits of Destin are required by ordinance to acquire an annual Business Tax Receipt from the city. Florida Statues provides guidelines for making changes to this “local business tax” which includes creating an equity commission that must recommend to the Destin City Council a classification system and rate structure for business taxes.
The commission is required to present final recommendations to the city council within six months of Feb. 6, 2017, the date on which the city council formally established the commission through the adoption of Resolution 17-03.
An application for the Equity Study Commission can be found on the city’s website, www.cityofdestin.com. Direct link to the application here. Applications can also be picked up from the City Clerk at Destin City Hall, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail.
Completed applications for the Equity Study Commission must be returned to the City Clerk in person or by mail (4200 Indian Bayou Trail, Destin, FL 32541) before 5 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2017.