Madison County Board expected to consider food truck inspection fees
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EDWARDSVILLE — A resolution that would significantly reduce the inspection fees for food trucks are to be considered by the Madison County Board Wednesday, but some members have said they opposed the action.
Last week the Health Department and Finance committees approved a resolution that would reduce the fee to $175 from the current $375. The current fees were established in 2018.
During the May Health Committee meeting, Alton city officials and the owners of Alton’s food truck park — Flock — asked the county to consider reducing the permit fee to attract more food trucks to Madison County.
Director of Public Health Toni Corona said that currently there are 18 licensed mobile establishments in the county.
At the Health Department Committee, Chairman Mike Babcock said at the meeting he believed lowering the fee would foster economic activity for the county. However, committee member Terry Eaker said he was against lowering the fees as he didn’t feel that food trucks should pay less than established restaurants in the same categories.
Similar concerns were expressed at the Finance Committee meeting.
Mobile food trucks are considered Category 1 and Category 2 establishments and inspected the same as a “brick and mortar” restaurant and eateries.
Category 1 and 1a facilities receive three inspections per year, or two inspections per year if one of the following conditions is met: a certified food service manager is present at all times the facility is in operation; or employees involved in food operations receive HACCP training exercise, in-service training in another food service sanitation area or attend an educational conference on food safety or sanitation.
Category 2 and 2a facilities receive one inspection per year.
Corona said the fees cover administrative costs within the health department.
“All our fees are used to offset the food sanitation program,” she said.
Corona said she compared Madison County’s food truck fees to adjacent counties to include: St. Clair ($78 to $100 six months), Jersey ($100), St. Louis ($150), St. Charles ($150), and Sangamon ($591).
The board will also consider the appointment of Christopher Otto as director of Madison County Community Development.
The appointment was postponed until June during the May County Board meeting.
Otto has been deputy administrator of MCCD for approximately a year, and has been the de facto leader since Dave Tanzyus was appointed county administrator in May 2021.
The board is also expected to consider seven zoning requests, including two that had been denied; an agreement between the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to provide a full-time deputy to the local DCFS office; and the use of ARPA funds for a stormwater interceptor improvement in Bethalto.
The meeting is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Madison County Administration Building.
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