PELHAM – A local business owner is in jeopardy of losing his business license permanently for failure to pay taxes owed to the city of Pelham.

At a Pelham City Council meeting on Jan. 3, the council approved a resolution revoking the business license of Isaac Smith, owner of Oak Mountain Glass Services, for failure to pay applicable sales and use taxes.

Building official Bob Miller said Smith has not paid taxes since July 2018. Miller said the revenue department sent certified letters, made phone calls and conducted in-person visits to make Smith aware of the situation.

According to Miller, Smith fell behind on paying his taxes after several clients failed to pay him for his services. At the meeting Smith asked the council to give him two weeks to pay the taxes owed.

Although the council approved the resolution revoking Smith’s business license, it was agreed that if Smith paid the delinquent taxes within two weeks, the revocation would be voided.

“I’ve actually hired an accountant since all of this started,” Smith said to the council. “I’m just trying to get on top of things and stay on top of things.”

At the meeting, the council also conducted the first reading of an ordinance that would require anyone wishing to engage in the installation or maintenance of power lines, water lines, cables, conduits or any other devices or structure that necessitates construction within a city right of way or easement to first obtain a permit from the city.

If passed, the ordinance would serve as an accountability measure so that the city knows whenever there’s work being done on a right of way. It’s also an opportunity to ensure proper licensing and to make sure that businesses are held accountable for any damages or improper installations.

In other business:

-Mayor Gary Waters read a proclamation declaring January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

-The council accepted a donation of land, located at 3191 Lee Street, from Housso LLC. The property contains .07727 acres.

-The council approved a resolution to accept the dedication of streets and right of ways within Lauchlin at Ballantrae, phases one and two, and to release street bonds of said subdivision.

-The council announced that city office will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, in observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.