The Kosciusko Board of Aldermen will vote on possibly increasing the fees for food trucks operating inside the city limits.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, the board proposed amending the current food truck ordinance to increase the yearly fee from $250 to $550 for food trucks based in Attala County and $750 for trucks that are based outside of the county.
The state’s standard fee for a transient vendor, which is what food trucks fall under, is $550/year.
There are currently 12 food trucks operating in Kosciusko.
Mayor Tim Kyle said there have been a number of complaints from business and restaurant owners in the city concerning the food trucks being allowed to operate at much cheaper costs than a standard brick & mortar establishment due to not having to pay things such as property taxes.
“I understand the concern of our local businesses and one thing I want people to know we’re not trying to do away with food trucks,” said Kyle. “We’re just trying to make it a little bit more even playing field.”
Another concern about the low food truck fee was that traditional restaurants may chose to close and flip their business to a food truck because of the cheaper costs.
“…..the last thing you want for your community is to be nothing but food trucks, so we we’ve got to have a balance there and that’s what this, a compromise. Hopefully this will help to some degree.”
Aldermen will vote on the proposed fees during the city’s July 2 board meeting.
Audio: Kyle discuses the city’s food truck ordinance during Minute with the Mayor
