Business owners in Jackson Township were irritated to learn recently that a 2019 “experiment” is returning for the 2020 budget.

The business privilege tax — which was enforced in July and charges $800 per year for businesses that earn more than $150,000 annually — originally was meant by the township’s board of supervisors as a method to fund its capital reserve fund and capital improvements planning.

Township leaders argue that the tax has brought in more than was anticipated and goes toward funding everything from road repairs to police costs.

Township business owners might not agree, but the point here is not to debate the merits or lack thereof of the business privilege tax.

In fact, we already noted on this page several months ago that while the idea of finding new revenue streams was commendable, township officials should have considered a combination of new taxes that wouldn’t primarily target small businesses, so that neither residents nor business owners should bear the full brunt of generating funds for the township.

Business owners are now upset not only that the tax is included in the 2020 budget, but also that they believe supervisors haven’t been upfront about it.

One business owner said he’d been led to believe the tax was a one-time fee, while others noted that once a tax is imposed in the township, it’s rare for it to be relinquished. Another business owner said the board indicated it would be lenient about late fees for the first year — but they weren’t.

It’s easy to sympathize with business owners, a number of whom who’ve said they don’t believe supervisors are listening to them. Regardless of the possible pros of the tax — or even the cons — supervisors should be forthright with business owners, and do a better job of outreach.

It’s not ideal for the burden of township funding to be placed on business owners at a time when some county businesses are struggling to stay open. On Tuesday, the Eagle has reported on two Butler businesses permanently closing their doors.

But if Jackson Township’s supervisors are determined to keep the business privilege tax, they should listen to local business owners’ concerns and strive for better communication on the matter.