[Marin-d] IJ article on Fairfax's New Local Currency

[Greenartist]

FAIRFAX 

The Fairfax Town Council this week agreed to provide $4,000 to help pay for the minting of a coin, a "Fairbuck," redeemable only in Fairfax for $3.
The idea is being championed by the nonprofit Sustainable Fairfax, which is also trying to get the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce to contribute $4,000.
The main reason for creating the local currency is to promote the local economy.
The Fairfax Town Council this week made some changes in its new plan to outsource the collection of business license fees after local merchants complained. The job of collecting the fees was recently assigned to Fresno-based Muni Services, which has a processing center in Alabama.
Fairfax business owners expressed concern about not keeping the money local to directly benefit the town. They also objected to divulging their Social Security numbers to Muni Services.
Businesses may now pay their license fees directly to the town, in person at Town Hall or by mail at 142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax 94930. Businesses will not be required to divulge their Social Security or employer identification numbers. And no delinquent penalties will be assessed until after March 15, instead of Feb. 16, as stated on the business license that was mailed by Muni Services.
All businesses will, however, have to continue paying a $25 processing fee, which covers the cost of hiring Muni Services, said Town Manager Michael Rock. He said the cost of hiring a local employee to do the work would have been higher. http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_17295614


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