By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason is extending an olive branch to local businesses. The city announced Thursday it is suspending a program in which existing and future businesses would have to pay a one-time only $50 registration fee.

The city is rescinding the registration program adopted by the city council in October that would have raised an estimated $175,000 to $225,000 from as many as 4,500 Bloomington businesses.

Establishments which have already paid the fee will get a full refund, according to the city.

Aldermen will take formal action on eliminating the fee at its February 25 council meeting.

“While our program was not unlike that of many communities, we realize with (the) council’s recent approval of a technology commission, we have the opportunity to create a better program,” city leaders said in a prepared statement.

“We anticipate whenever a registration program is reinstated in Bloomington, there will not be a registration fee.” city leaders also said.

Untouched by the council and administration is a series of other fees and fines that were raised last fall for a variety of city services to help balance the budget.

The city’s administration believes the “true value” of the registration program is the data. That data can give first responders quicker access to information in case of emergencies, can better measure the community’s economic health, and more easily identify new businesses to collect taxes from them.

The city’s statement said doing away with the fee promotes economic development and “mirrors” current practices in Normal.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]