Tax and license highlighted day three of the Selma City Council budget hearing Thursday at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

All council members were present to discuss the number of local businesses operating without a license or paying taxes. Businesses have from December until the end of January to get a license for the next year.

“Each business in Selma should have a business license and pay taxes,” Council President Corey Bowie said.

Councilwoman Angela Benjamin said it’s a long line of businesses without licenses. She didn’t reveal which businesses.

“The list of businesses without licenses is extensive,” Benjamin said. “We need to get tax and license to work with them.”

Councilman Sam Randolph suggested business owners talk to the city council and present their cases.

“Bring those businesses before the council and have them explain why they’re not paying taxes,” Randolph said.

Bowie said once the council gets an ordinance, business owners can attend a council meeting and get their license revoked.

Code enforcement was also brought up. Bowie recommended hiring a part-time code enforcement officer with arresting powers.

“We need a post certified code enforcement officer to give citations,” Bowie said. “It’s important we increase the number of houses that need code enforcement.”

Bowie said he is in the process of emailing mayor Darrio Melton about the USDA grant that was submitted six months ago. He’s looking for the grant’s outline and proposal.

Bowie is also sending Melton a memo about having City Treasurer Ronita Wade involved with the city council in its budget process. Wade attended Tuesday’s meeting, but not the last two meetings.

“We need our treasurer and department heads present at these hearings,” Benjamin said.

The next budget hearing will be held Monday at 4 p.m. in the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

The fiscal year ends Sept. 30 and the 2018-2019 year begins Oct. 1.