Four years ago, David Robison opened his custom T-shirt business in an old Target property in Snellville.
Since then, Robison has been in an endless struggle to keep his doors open.
"I almost didn't make it through winter," Robison said. "I'm just thrilled to survive."
Snellville council member Kelly Kautz has a proposal aimed at helping business owners such as Robison. But finding support for the ordinance among her colleagues -- and even from Robison -- will likely be her biggest challenge.
Kautz's ordinance would allow businesses with revenue of $2 million or less to apply for a 20 percent break on the city's occupation tax. Rebates could range from about $5 to $31 depending on the company's money flow, according to data provided by the city.
"It's a goodwill thing," Kautz said. "We’re in tough times right now."
The Snellville City Council will vote on the proposal Monday.
City officials were scrambling to update the proposal's figures after Kautz agreed last week to open the exemption to companies making more than $1 million. Data provided by council member Tom Witts showed the city could pay as much as $35,000 annually, or about $31 per business, if every eligible company applied for the rebate.
Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Bender expressed doubts about the measure, saying she didn't have enough information.
Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer was more blunt.
"It doesn't provide any real relief, and it's a bureaucratic nightmare for us," Oberholtzer said. "But it's great to put on a campaign flier."
The proposal calls for the city to approve applicants on a case-by-case basis and set up a "financial hardship committee" to make recommendations.
Kautz acknowledged the overall economic impact would be small, but she said the proposal is part of an effort to let small businesses know the city has their support.
She also dismissed Oberholtzer's claim that the proposal is a campaign-year ploy.
"To say you don’t want to vote for something good and positive for the city," she said, "that doesn’t make sense to me."
Robison said he wouldn't even bother to apply for the rebate, if it passes the council. He then called on the city to do more for small businesses; maybe even drop the occupational tax.
"I don’t even know why we pay that nuisance fee," he said. "The city should pay us to be coming into the city."
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