For some time the city of Logan has had a problem with area businesses not paying what they owe in Business and Occupation taxes. Towards that end, the city has signed on with a new program from the West Virginia Municipal League that may offer some help.

Lisa Dooley, city advocate from the WVML said the league has a revenue enhancement program that can help towns collect on outstanding bills to save the municipalities time and help them get their money. The League only bills 40 percent on the uncollected amount for three years, which in effect means the city would not be out anything as it would be collected from accounts which have not been paid to the city anyway. And as City Clerk Amber Gore admitted, there are several major business in the town which are delinquent and have never paid B&O taxes at all.

There are other advantages Dooley noted, explaining that the League has model ordinances on routine problems that were solved and passed in other towns.

"We can let you know what is working for them and that can be invaluable," she said, ironically pointing to a dog issue that came up in Logan a few months ago. Dooley pointed out the city saved over $120,000 from being a part of the Municipal League's Unemployment Program through saving on premiums. These kind of savings benefit residents, Dooley noted, adding that there are 80 other municipalities in the Revenue Enhancement program, which helps them collect B&O taxes. She said the League can look at what a business is paying and what is owed and examine state data bases electronically. If an offender is targeted, the city is notified.

The delinquent B&O tax problem is a major one, which previous city administrations seldom mentioned. The topic became a constant matter of discussion at City Hall following being brought up by the Man City Council which faced a similar problem. Late Mayor Claude Ellis began speaking about the matter openly along with councilmembers who have discussed several ways to address the issue, including sending warning letters to delinquent businesses warning they might get sued in court.

City Attorney Kendal Partlow said it is possible the city could legally shut down a business that is not paying taxes by enjoining them.

"We have looked into a lot of options," Partlow said. "We might have to ask the circuit court to file an injunction."

"If I can pay my taxes, some of these big guys can pay theirs," quipped Councilman Don Browning.

Tuesday evening, Councilman Jim Guy asked about which businesses have been delinquent and said he felt the information should be published in the Logan Banner. Gore showed a partial list to the council including many businesses that had never paid any B&O taxes at all.

"The county publishes delinquent taxpayers," Guy noted, adding that citizens deserved to know who the deadbeats were.

Councilmembers also discussed other ways to collect on overdue accounts such as shutting down businesses which have been notified by letter more than once and refuse to pay, by changing the locks on the doors or revoking their business permits.