“These businesses have already proven to us they are good neighbors. I welcome them to Fort Bragg,” said Mayor Will Lee at Tuesday night’s regular council meeting.
The council started a process expected to last until April, 2021 in which a consultant will be hired to help prepare an ordinance that would allow commercial cannabis cultivation on inland industrial parcels, such as those north of Pudding Creek and east of Highway 1. Councilperson Jessica Morsell-Haye suggested a 1 percent tax on grower revenues, but relented when other councilmembers insisted that no special fees be imposed on cultivators.
Councilperson Lindy Peters pointed out the fees and taxes that the state already charges cannabis producers. Those costs are in addition to the 2.5 percent tax rate on gross income from the county of Mendocino.