Hinesville businesses that have not paid up their occupation licenses for the year could face getting shut down.

Businesses had an April 1 deadline to renew their city licenses for the year, giving them a 90-day grace period from the end of the year.

The city’s list of businesses that had not renewed their licenses was about 150 until April 1, and it’s down to around 100 now.

“The list is rapidly coming down,” City Manager Kenneth Howard said.

Council members, though, said business owners late in getting their licenses paid for 2023 had reached out to hem about the process.

“Have we done anything different this year that we didn’t do in the prior years? I know we had some changes,” said Council member Vicky Nelson.

Notices were sent out in October, as usual, Deridra Weeks told council members. Businesses received an invoice for their payment and a bill, like a memo, giving them directions on what they needed to do.

“They had to go online to retrieve the paperwork and submit it to the office,” she said. “Before they used to get a package with all the paperwork and an invoice.”

Weeks added many businesses submitted a check for their city license but not the paperwork. Without the paperwork, the city could not process the check.

If the city got a check but no paperwork with it, an email was sent to the business owners and if there was no response to that, a letter was sent.

Business owners were notified in October they needed to renew their business licenses by December 31. If businesses called, came to City Hall or emailed, a packet was emailed to them.

Council member Diana Reid said the paperwork should be available online and mailed to businesses.

“Perhaps we could have given them a headsup,” she said. “Why didn’t keep the old way? It’s not as simple as for some of the businesses for someone who is technologically savvy.”

Nelson said there is room on the water bill to remind business owners to renew their business licenses by the end of the year.

“Since we have that tool, let’s use it,” she said.

The city now has more than 1,000 businesses, and City Clerk Lia Jones said it was her call to have them go online and fill out the paperwork.

“Prior to this process we’re currently working, we were sending out thousands of business seven- page packets to complete their applications,” Jones said. “It is available on the website and has been available through email. Prior to this, they were still coming into the office requesting an additional copy of the packet.

“We thought to make the process a little easier for ourselves and the businesses, we would make it available online and by email. And they can come in and request a copy.”

Officers are now going around the city closing businesses that have not paid their licenses for 2023.

“You’re getting their attention, because I’ve gotten texts,” Reid said.

Council member Karl Riles added some businesses may not choose to renew their licenses. He also said the length of time — which is mandated by the state — is reasonable.

“It’s been 90 days,” he said. “There really aren’t any suitable excuses.”

Weeks said there are penalties and interests imposed upon businesses that are late getting their business licenses paid. The list of businesses that need to pay to renew their licenses also is one of the longest the city has had in years.