It is something that has never been considered before.
The City of Humboldt is considering charging a business license fee to private child care providers within the city.
Council discussed the consideration at the regular council meeting held on September 12.
"It is something that has never been done in the past," said Coun. Aaron Beheil.
The idea behind the business license is that all other home-based businesses are charged for a business license. Providing child care is a business, so they should be treated the same way as any other.
"It shouldn't matter if you are doing childcare, selling Tupperware or doing massages," said Coun. Gordon Lees.
Although all council members agreed that they should consider charging the child care providers for a business license, there was some discussion on how they should go about it.
"The challenge is how to define it," said Beheil. "We don't want to be charging the 15-year-old babysitter."
Another point that was brought up in regards to defining the license was the number of children a person is looking after.
"Someone looking after two or three kids shouldn't be charged the same as someone looking after 10," said Mayor Malcolm Eaton.
One suggestion that was made to combat a large fee for a small group was to create an association for the child care providers, much like music teacher's association.
Local music teachers register as part of the association, which is then charged a flat rate. Any music teachers that are not part of the association pay a $120 fee for themselves.
"Maybe they should have an association like the music teachers," said Coun. Rob Muench.
No final decisions were made at the meeting, but council decided to look into creating a business license.
Eaton suggested before making a final decision on the business license, they should engage in discussion with the child care providers and find out their opinion on some of the options council is considering.
