Why ANOTHER Permit?

In the normal course of social endeavors, governments are formed to serve the welfare of the public, standardize rules, laws and policies for the greater good and keep the peace. Society wants and needs these things so everyone may go their merry way and pursue a quality of life.

We all want to have a good job, make a little money, maybe save a little, raise kids and hope our fishing boat makes contact with the water occasionally.

The City of Ritzville has a process that requires businesses from out of town to obtain an annual business license. Those businesses need to come to City Hall, fill out an application and pay $25. Why on earth you ask, is this necessary?

Scenario No. 1: You need a new garage roof, and uncle Jake’s buddy in Spokane knows a guy who knows a guy who does roofs on weekends for half the price of local contractors. Why pay more? All you need is the roof to stop leaking.

What’s the big deal? Of course you hire him, he shows up Saturday morning, does the roof and is gone by sunset. Let’s say an unlikely event such as the wind blows or even more rare, it rains.

When your roofing ends up two blocks away or your precious garage contents are water damaged. You call uncle Jake, who doesn’t even remember talking to you. You get to finance a new roof for the second time since there is no way to contact his ‘buddy’.

Several things happened here. One, you lost money with no recourse. Two, all your cash (maybe “under the table”) can’t be tracked, taxed by the city, or recovered by any means. Three, the weekend contractor can come back to town for subsequent jobs and your neighbors may pay the same price and ‘pay the same price’.

Scenario No. 2: Your roofing contractor has a city business license. If your roof fails, the city has contact information including his phone number and address, State business license number, bond information and so on. You have legal means to get him to warrant and correct the defects.

The money you paid will include sales tax that comes back to your community. Your city building permit will ensure the job is done right the first time with new, quality material so that “25-year” roof really does last that long, and it helps keep local contractors competitive, thereby furthering the economic health of your community.

Oh, and one more thing. When you sell your house and move to Florida, the County assessed value of your property will include your improvements, so your house will sell for a better price. After all, you deserve to get credit for the remaining 24 years of life left in that roof. Who knows, the new owner may want to keep their “precious” garage contents dry.

In short, insist anyone offering services has that license with the City. Ask them to show it to you. Call City Hall and ask if anything looks suspicious. It must be displayed and provided to anyone who asks.

If you want to use that contractor and he can’t show you a current license, remind him to go to the City and get one. It protects him, you and your neighbors, and helps them continue to do quality work in Ritzville for years to come.