Andrew Rigie testifies on Intro 918 quarterly fee payments
Rigie supports allowing quarterly fee payments, noting this was standard practice at DCWP for decades. He argues the city should not require lump-sum payments when even landlords don't demand a full year's rent upfront, and that total setup costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
The next bill we are speaking on is the 918, which would allow the revocable consent fees to be paid quarterly instead of in one lump sum.
This is how it was done for probably decades at DCWP.
Not even a small business's landlord requires one year rent paid up front.
Why is the city requiring small businesses to pay fees in a lump sum?
It's not just the consent fees.
It's also the licensing fee, security deposit, the fee for the public notice, you know, architect's fees, if they're paying that, expediter fees.
It is a lot of money.
You could be talking tens of thousands of dollars.
It worked in the past, paying quarterly.
We think it would be a nice option, especially when we talk about supporting small businesses in neighborhoods across the city.