It might just be $1.50, but it adds up.
That's the message Ringgold's National Title Pawn franchise owner Doyle Sutton is hoping to hit home to the Ringgold City Council.
The city will begin charging $1.50 per transaction at pawn shops inside the city limits starting April 1.
"Y'all have imposed a $550 annual fee but also a $1.50 transaction fee," Sutton said, speaking to the council. "I can understand why y'all would do that at salvage yards, because people steal copper. People have to present a driver's license to me. We are managed by the state and we take a photo of the person. We don't receive anything stolen."
Sutton said another company already charges him 19 cents per transaction. It's the same company the city hired to charge $1.50, he added.
"In our situation, my main thing is the transaction fee is too high," Sutton said. "The city of Ringgold charges $1.31 higher than other cities per transaction. I'd like to question why we have to have an agent too."
City Manager Dan Wright explained that the store needs a designated agent working at or with National Title Pawn so the person can respond to action the city might take on the business. Wright suggested that the shop ask Mr. Worley next door to serve as the acting agent if need be.
"If we serve papers, we need someone to go to," Wright said. "Restaurants use a local attorney."
Councilman Earl Henderson said National Title Pawn falls under the umbrella of lending money in exchange for goods, so that's why the city is imposing the $1.50 transaction fee.
"I can work with the annual fee," said Sutton. "My only problem is the transaction fee."
Mayor Joe Barger said the council will continue discussing the transaction fee at a later work session.