Council to consider new food truck fee

City Council discussed a new $50 registration fee for “central preparation facilities” for food trucks and other mobile food vendors at a work session on Tuesday ahead of a vote scheduled for Thursday. Council Member Ora Houston, who chairs the Council Health and Human Services Committee, noted that the body recommended the new fee in a unanimous vote and called it a “public health issue.” She said it would provide oversight to facilities where food is prepared for sale in trucks across the city. Council Member Don Zimmerman said he opposes the measure, raising concerns about affordability for small-business owners. City staff estimates that there are about 300 central preparation facilities, and on Oct. 8 Council approved an ordinance requiring them to be registered with the city. Amending the current budget to institute the fee would bring in an estimated $15,000.