The City of Fayette is exploring possible regulations regarding food trucks, which regularly set up for business on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the downtown square. The city council discussed options during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 16. 

Doreathy Booth, who owns the Savory Bakery on South Main Street, asked the council at its previous meeting to require the trucks to move off the square, closer to her business. “As far as I’m concerned, take them off the square,” she said.

The council discussed changing business license requirements for such businesses. A one-year business license in Fayette costs $36. The city could also offer a one-week license for $10. Inspections from the Howard County Health Department would be required in order to obtain a license.

Food trucks are a burgeoning trend in the United States. A proposed ordinance would also allow the city to decide where the food trucks may conduct business. 

One criticism of the food trucks, which in Fayette’s case are coming in from other towns, is that they are taking money away from established brick-and-mortar restaurant owners who pay property and sales taxes, and have otherwise invested in operating businesses in Fayette. “We need to make sure it’s fair to compete with our other businesses,” said newly elected east ward alderman Jeremy Dawson. “I also want to make sure we’re getting our sales tax out of it. If not, they’re just robbing our other businesses that are paying those taxes.”

Dawson proposed raising the cost of a business license for food trucks in an effort to ensure the city receive’s its share of revenue. 

Ultimately the council decided to further the discussion at the next regular meeting on July 7.