In case you didn’t know, the City of Fayetteville does not require a business license. It is, however, trying to work out a way to implement one.

Such a process is no easy task considering that all sorts of details must be ironed out including defining exactly what a business is and how much to charge. For instance, the $60-ish number that is being thrown around is nothing for a large business, but should an occasional babysitter have to pony up an annual fee?

The city has stated that the registration fee is not intended to generate revenue, but will compensate for the payroll expenses associated with the registry itself.

According to an internal city study, a registry will provide three main benefits:

1. timely and accurate economic performance data addressing job and industry growth
2. accurate public safety data regarding location, fire suppression systems and the storage of hazardous materials
3. leverage for the City Prosecutor’s office in pursuing tax and code violations

The forum, which is being held by the FFEAC’s Economic Incentives group, is in City Hall room 326 at 5:30 p.m. tonight, April 7.