The License Collector’s Office is authorized by Missouri State Statute to license businesses that operate in the City of St. Louis. It is a fee-revenue-generating office which collects business license fees and distributes approximately $70 million annually to the city’s general fund and other city and state agencies, such as Saint Louis Public Schools, public libraries, MSD, and a state fund for the blind.

Pursuant to statute, a percentage of these fees are retained to operate the office. The office doesn’t receive any revenue or salaries from the City of St. Louis.
Since taking office, we have achieved major accomplishments, including but not limited to the following:

Drafted and implemented a Comprehensive Business Closure Policy. Because our #1 goal is to keep businesses in business, we enforce this policy only when we have exhausted all efforts to bring a business into compliance. 

On track to eliminate multi-year delinquencies. To date, we have attained 100 percent compliance from such businesses that we have contacted, resulting in additional revenue.

Secured an additional source of revenue for the city: Negotiated MOU with AirBNB yielding approximately $2.1 mil per year. Introduced new methods of payment. Payment options now include telephone, credit, debit, online and PayIT.

Increased staff salaries. This was an attempt to match staff job duties and work performance. Also, raised the minimum salary to $17.79 /hour for entry-level positions.

Convened forums related to business topics. Topics include tax preparation, entrepreneurship for seniors and veterans, MBE/WBE/ DBE certification, and certification process for childcare providers, among others.

Ongoing collaboration. Secured collaborative relationships with other elected officials and city departments associated with the licensing process.

Initiated “City Business Open House” series. At these events, businesses can showcase and/or sell their products and services in the City Hall Rotunda.
Multicultural messaging. We publish informational literature in Braille, Spanish, Bosnian and Vietnamese to accommodate the evolving demographics of the city. MO State audits. Auditors stated “Office Well Managed”.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.  
Mavis Thompson born in St. Louis, graduated from Lutheran High School North and was inducted into it’s Hall of Fame. She earned both a Nursing and Law degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Mavis is a graduate of the JFK School of Government at Harvard. She has served as President of the National Bar Association, is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Daughters of Isis, also a Sunday School teacher and Trustee at Mt. Herald Missionary Baptist Church.  Mavis made history as the first African-American female to hold two citywide elected positions; Circuit Clerk and now License Collector.

Revised 2/25/26