Food truck ordinance serves up debate

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By Dan Domsic

Food truck operators and other community members made their voices heard at last week’s Fishers Town Council meeting, campaigning for mobile concessions in town.

An ordinance that would allow food trucks to operate in Fishers after buying a permit is up for approval by the Fishers Town Council.

The ordinance would call for “mobile concessions” to register and purchase a $200 permit from the Fishers Parks and Recreation Dept. or agree to a memorandum of understanding to sell their wares in the Town of Fishers.

A list of excluded events or locations requires the mobile businesses to enter into an MOU, including the Fishers’ Concert Series and Fishers Movies in the Park – otherwise food trucks and mobile concessions will be able to operate freely in Fishers with the consent of owners if the mobile businesses park on private property.

For S.P.O.R.T.S. events, the cash made by the department will be given to the athletic program.

The ordinance was given a second reading at the Feb. 4 council meeting, and it will return to the council one more time for a vote on Monday at 7 p.m..

Scott Faultless, Fishers Town Council member, opposes the ordinance.

“We have a lot of families and small businesses who have invested their entire life savings into opening up businesses,” he said.

Faultless went on to say that families make big investments to make businesses in Fishers possible, while contributing to the revenue the town receives via property taxes and impact fees, as well as to the schools and other public institutions.

“The food trucks threaten the existing local businesses and family restaurants, and especially shops, and if they can go anywhere in town, that’s a threat to those business, and I don’t agree with that.”

Faultless later said he was supportive of expanding businesses in Fishers, but not to the extent of creating an environment he believes would hurt local businesses.

Pete Peterson, Fishers Town Council vice president, disagreed with him.

“It is my opinion that the free market enterprise system works best when governed least,” he said. “I believe competition is good. It makes businesses better.”

Peterson detailed his interactions with local business owners concerning the matter, as well as his own research to support his opinion.

After other councilors weighed in on the issue, food truck owners and operators took part in the public comments, as did other community members.

Start-up incubator Launch Fishers was brought into the conversation, as well.

“It’s a great entry point for anybody looking to start a business,” Shelby Malaterre, Caveman Truck founder, said.

Bob Pollock of Nickel Plate Bar and Grill welcomes the competition but doesn’t agree with the whole ordinance.

“I disagree with allowing food trucks on public property that I have paid my taxes on for over 20 years,” he said.


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