SEVEN FIELDS — Council at a meeting Tuesday night proposed an increase in the borough’s business tax, a move that would affect a majority of the nearly 100 businesses in Seven Fields.

Manager Tom Smith said the tax rate would rise from $500 to $1,000 annually for any business that records more than $55,000 a year in gross receipts. Any business recording less than that amount annually is exempt from the tax.

The tax this year brought in $22,000. The new tax would double the income from the tax.

Council included the proposal in the 2014 preliminary budget, which passed unanimously at the meeting, but tabled the discussion about the tax after a resident voiced concerns.

Rob Spence said he operates an accounting business out of his home in Seven Fields, and added that the $500 tax increase simply isn’t fair to smaller enterprises in the borough.

“Giant Eagle gets as many customers in a day as I do in a year,” he said, adding the tax is unequal.

Spence added the $55,000 threshold to qualify for the tax is too low and suggested council either raise the limit or scrap the idea completely.

Council President Jack Oakley spoke about the necessity of the tax, however, and said council was using the hike to help stem off a property tax increase that would affect residents.

In the preliminary budget, council again held the line on taxes and kept the property tax rate at 7 mills.

Smith added the business tax hike is necessary being that the rate hasn’t been touched since it was enacted in 2005.

“In looking at everything, we try to be fair when increasing any kind of revenue,” he said.

Council is expected to talk more about the issue at its meeting on Nov. 25.