(MOBILE, Ala.) The Mobile City Council votes against a measure that would raise license fees for local businesses.
The $2 increase would have generated about $36,000 in revenue each year for the city, but the council voted five to two to keep the rate at $10.
The state, however, allows a $12 fee.
One member told the council the city was missing out on an opportunity to generate much-needed cash.
"I'm almost at the point to where I kind of like to see that $36,000 in our coffers and I thought that's where we are going. But if we're not, I have to go with the wishes of the council," said councilman William Carroll.
City leaders told members of the council the extra fee would help cover processing costs for the 18,000 businesses that operate in Mobile.
