During the Perryville City Council meeting on Thursday, the council discussed amendments to the ordinance for business licenses in the city. The annual license fee for business is $25 annually due by Jan. 31. There is also a new vendor license that is active for three days that costs $15 dollars for out-of-town vendors, such as those who conduct business at local festivals.

“These vendors make a tremendous amount of money,” said council member Michael Lankford. “They are sucking money out of the economy, and it is not coming over here.”

The council has introduced new rules for the public comment section of the meetings. Citizens who wish to make a public comment must put their name, information, and topic they wish to discuss on a sign up sheet that is located at the entrance. Your name must be on the list before the start of future meetings at 7 p.m. If a citizen is speaking regarding a subject on the agenda, they must indicate their opinion on the issue when they sign up. Time is limited to 3 minutes. Aggressive, rude or disrupting behavior toward the council or others in attendance will not be tolerated.

The council recently stopped live streaming meetings in order to increase community engagement, only local media was present at the meeting.

In other news from the meeting:

• The council has passed a resolution to use $195,392.52 of American Rescue Plan Act funds towards city payroll. This expected to free up funding for more projects and improvements to the city.

• Perryville City Hall will be receiving a new sign, it is expected to arrive within the next two weeks.