Vendors participating in the town festivals and events will be required to purchase a $20 one day business license. Williamston Town Council approved first reading on an ordinance establishing the new fee during their meeting Monday.
Williamston Mayor Mack Durham said the question of permits for food truck vendors operating on a temporary basis, such as a festival or public events in Mineral Spring Park, was brought up and discussed in a current town council work session.
The issue was also discussed during a recent meeting of the ordinance review committee.
Some of the issues raised were where and how to set the thresholds for requiring a permanent business license. Those levels centered around either the amount of business done per day, or the number of days for which a temporary license might be purchased.
As presented to council Monday, the new ordinance sets a one day business license fee of $20 which also limits amount of sales to no more than $2000 per day. If the business’s gross exceeds $2000 in one day, a regular yearly business license, based on gross sales of the business, is required.
While originally to address food vendors, the new ordinance also applies to other vendors. It is not clear how the new ordinance will affect festivals and events in the town.
Mayor Mack Durham has made having more events a priority for creating a more vibrant town and the town currently has more than ten regular events including a new jazz series added this year.
Events with outside vendors include Plant Fest, the Farmers Market, Pig in the Park Barbecue Festival and Cookoff, Party in the Park, July 4th Freedom Celebration, Spring Water Festival, Homesteading Festival and the Jazz series.
Most of the events already require vendors to pay an application fee to the organizing entity. Some do not charge vendors to participate. The town is planning to have one or two events monthy next year in the newly renovated town hall auditorium, the mayor has said.
