Mary Alice Reporting –
Following application fees being issued in Uhrichsville for special events and food trucks, the city is standing behind the cost while an organizer says they’ve already felt a negative impact.
Council approved legislation to implement the application, which along with separate requirements, includes a per day fee to host an event, on city property, at $150 and for mobile food trucks, the application cost ranges from $20 for one day, $50 to set up for three days, a 90 day fee is $150, and then annual is set at $200.
Mayor Jim Zucal, during Thursday’s council meeting, stood behind the pricing saying it was comparable to other communities.
“Council at one point, if I may, actually talked about $250. In line with other communities, I think this is kind of a moot point now things are functioning well as far as I’m concerned, but if you look at other communities, whether it’s locally, we tried to do comparable size, Cambridge, St. Clairsville, Marysville, so I think we’re right in the wheel house.”
Uhrichsville Farmer’s Market co-founder Whitney Manson says administration did not listen to community members, who previously expressed the economy of the small rural city and the askance of keeping the fee to a minimum.
“On city property the city needs to know what is happening, what is going on that makes sense. What we requested was that the fee be reasonable and fair, and factor such as the location where we are in out county, our poverty level, our population, comparing to cities of similar size and what they do for their special events, what their application looks like, and what’s their permit fee. The community is starving for things to do in their own backyard, and when this all started and when it passed, there was that gut wrenching feeling that this is going to have that domino effect in a negative way. Maybe people won’t be inclined to have events in Uhrichsville.”
Another effect has already been a couple scheduled food trucks expressing they would not be setting up at the market.
“The food industry is a brutal industry to be in. The food trucks that have backed out are just now starting. While some might see that as a nominal fee, when you are a business owner you have all these overhead costs and if you are just starting every dollar counts and so those fees quickly add up.”
Also brought up was a recent situation that could have been costly for the city, which Zucal said backed up the need for liability insurance. Apparently, the road closed signs shutting off 3rd Street were moved before market vendors were done tearing down, and a vehicle turned onto the street which caused the police to take action, added Merklin.
“And I’m not saying it’s anybody’s fault that there’s a reason fees are charged for these kinds of events because the city provides services and that’s just an example. We had police that had a lot of time dealing with that and then I had to take some time with it.”
Manson adds that they previously set their budget for 2024 and with this added cost of $1,200 for the remaining eight markets, the non-profit is now seeking community donations or sponsors.
Copyright WTUZ Radio Inc., 2024