1. ORD Veteran-Owned Business Tax Exemption

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-009

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUMA, ARIZONA, AMENDING TITLE 7 OF THE YUMA CITY CODE, CHAPTER 70, REVISING SECTION 70-05 TO EXEMPT  VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES AND MERCHANTS FROM SECTION 70-05

WHEREAS, the City of Yuma (“City”) is one of three Great American Defense Communities recognized by the Association of Defense Communities in 2025; and,

WHEREAS, the City’s designation as a Great American Defense Community cites Yuma’s “legacy of unwavering support” of the U.S. military, service members, and veterans; and,

WHEREAS, 2026 is the 250th year of America; and,

WHEREAS, the City licenses businesses and merchants operating within the City under Section 70-05 of the Yuma City Code; and,

WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to honor the service of military veterans and promote veteran entrepreneurship by reducing financial barriers to starting and operating a business within the City by exempting Yuma County residents who are military veterans from the cost imposed on businesses and merchants under Section 70-05. 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Yuma as follows:

SECTION 1: Yuma City Code, Section 70-05 is amended to add subsection D exempting resident veteran-owned businesses and merchants from payment for a business license.  Subsection D shall read as follows where underlined text represents additions:
  (D)  Exemption. Yuma County resident veteran-owned businesses or merchants shall be exempt from payment for any business license under this section.  An applicant for exemption shall provide proof of veteran status, ownership, and residence status when applying for a City business license.  The exemption shall terminate if the business or merchant ceases to be veteran-owned.  For purposes of this subsection, “veteran” means a person discharged from the United States Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonorable, and “veteran-owned business or merchant” means a business entity or merchant in which one or more veterans own at least fifty percent (50%) of the equity, possess at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting power, and control daily operations.         
SECTION 2: §70-99 Penalty.  Unless otherwise specifically provided for in this ordinance, any person or corporation who shall violate any provision of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor, and shall be punished as provided in § 10-99 of this Code.
Adopted this __ day of _____________________, 2026.

						APPROVED:

											
						Douglas J. Nicholls
						Mayor
ATTESTED:

				
Janet L. Pierson
Acting City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO FORM:
				
Richard W. Files
City Attorney