With Commissioner John Allocco absent from the July 9 meeting, the board was split 2-2 on approving a county ordinance that would prohibit businesses within Hernando County from refusing to accept cash as payment. The item will be scheduled for a later meeting when all Commissioners are in attendance.
Commissioners Beth Narverud and Jerry Campbell oppose the ordinance, concerned with fairness and enforceability.
Commissioner Steve Champion requested that the County Attorney’s Office draft the proposed ordinance at the November 28, 2023 meeting. If approved, business owners selling goods or services would not be able to be “cashless,” or post signage that cash is not accepted. It would also prohibit businesses from charging higher prices for cash customers.
Campbell is opposed to the exceptions. The ordinance would apply to most brick-and-mortar retail businesses, but there are several exceptions. Food trucks or any business that operates from a vehicle would be exempted. The ordinance would also not apply to any business that uses a membership model, such as Sam’s Club, Costco or gyms.
Mostly supportive of the proposal, he’s against the government telling private companies how to do business. “It’s not government’s business to get involved in picking winners and losers, and it’s not government’s business to meddle in the affairs of how someone’s going to run their business.”
Government entities are also excluded, giving Narverud pause. She also questions the feasibility and resources needed to enforce the code.
Other exceptions are:
– Retail stores selling consumer goods exclusively through a membership model that requires payment by an affiliated mobile device application
– Rentals of consumer goods, services, or accommodations for which a security deposit is typically required
– Consumer goods or services provided to employees by employers
– In cases of businesses suspecting the use of counterfeit cash
– Transactions involving the use of cash denominations larger than $20.00 by a customer
– Transactions which the County is preempted from regulating by law (e.g., the sale of firearms, etc.),
– Single transactions which exceed $5,000.00
– Professional services
– Parking facilities
