The cost of operating a food truck in Kosciusko is going up after a vote Tuesday night by the city’s board of aldermen.
Aldermen voted to increase the yearly fee from $250 to $550, as that’s the state’s standard fee for a transient vendor, which includes food trucks.
The board was originally set to vote on the fee increased to $550 for local food trucks and to $750 for those trucks that were based outside of Attala County.
However, operators from several food trucks attended the meeting to voice their opposition to the fee for the out of town trucks.
“We just want it to be even across the board,” said one food truck operator.
Many of those operators that spoke to the board provided examples of how, even though they aren’t based in Attala County, they are involved at festivals/community events, spend money with local businesses for supplies, gas and/or maintenance on their trucks and pay fees as members of the Kosciusko-Attala Partnership.
After hearing from those owners, the board agreed on the yearly fee of $550 for all food trucks regardless of where they are from.
“I think it was a good compromise,” said Mike Gragg, operator of Stray Dogs Kitchen. “It’s not perfect, but it’s a starting point.”
Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle also commented on the compromise between the city and the food truck operators.
“…when we get together, sit down and have a conversation, we can usually always work something out.”
There are currently 12 food trucks operating in Kosciusko.
As with all city ordinances, the changes won’t go into effect until 30 days after the vote passed.
Audio: Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle
Audio: Mike Gragg – Stray Dogs Kitchen
