Treutlen Board of Commissioners Enacts Business License Requirement

The Treutlen County Board of Commissioners’ business license ordinance will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The ordinance, which first passed in July 2024, requires all businesses within Treutlen County to apply for a yearly business license lasting from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Despite passing in July, the ordinance’s implementation was delayed so county officials could work out the official process.

Application forms can be found in-person in the Board of Commissioner’s Office or online on the Treutlen County website. The form consists of one page and the application fee is set at $25, an intentional move by the board to make the process as unintimidating as possible.

“We are not here to punish people,” said County Attorney James Garner. “We want everyone to want to have a business license.”

All applications are to be delivered to the Board of Commissioner’s Office where they will undergo approval in the following monthly board meeting, usually scheduled on the first Monday of a month. Garner and County Clerk Angie Hook both likened the process to the county’s beer and wine license approval process.

Business owners do not need to attend the meeting to receive approval, but may be asked to attend if the board has questions regarding the business. Following approval, Hook will create physical paper licenses to be sent to business owners.

While the ordinance will go into effect on Jan. 1, businesses may apply beforehand, and the ordinance provides a cushion time-frame of 30 days after Jan. 1 to apply for a license without penalty. Preexisting businesses are not expected to cease operation while waiting for a license, but new businesses will be expected to wait until approval to begin operation.

“We have a moving picture here, and so we’re not directing anyone to stop doing business while they’re going through the process,” said Garner.

Business owners may face a $25 fine or one day of jail time for each day spent in violation of the ordinance. However, Garner noted the jail penalty serves as more of a formality of a county ordinance. 

“It’s just sort of pro forma for a county ordinance,” said Garner. “So, I mean, obviously this is something we’re not trying to put people in jail for. We want them to come here, and we want them to do business and we want them to be a part of our business family.”

Garner attributes the ordinance to the board’s commitment to becoming more business-friendly. According to him, the licenses will provide the Board with a list of businesses in the county, allowing the county government to more effectively assist local business owners.

The list will also benefit local emergency services and even new businesses, allowing them to take advantage of present utilities and services as they establish a foothold in the area.

“I think a lot of people are ready for Treutlen County to rise up and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Garner.