Regina to review $300 hike for food truck permits: mayor

Regina’s mayor agrees — $1,800 seems like a lot of money for a food truck permit.

Recently, food truck operators have expressed frustration with the city over a $300 hike in price for the ability to do business in areas like City Square Plaza.

Speaking on the CJME Morning Show Tuesday, Mayor Michael Fougere said the sharp price increase is a lot.

“We’ll take a look and see what we can do to change that,” he said.

Fougere also agreed having food trucks during the lunch hour adds to the ambience of downtown.

However, he pointed out the city didn’t hear complaints last year when it gave notice the cost of a permit would go up.

“We had given notice that the increase would happen last year, and didn’t have a reaction; although maybe they didn’t actually buy the permit then,” he said.

Rob Reinhardt, owner of Prairie Smoke and Spice BBQ, is among the operators saying there was no communication between the city and the vendors.

“When the first food truck went to get its permit from the City of Regina, they discovered they had increased the fees by almost $300 without notifying us,” Reinhardt said.

After hearing about the price hike, Reinhardt knew he wouldn’t apply for a permit this year.

“It’s just not lucrative enough to justify paying almost $2,000 in fees to operate our unit in downtown Regina.”

Reinhardt doesn’t believe more food trucks will apply or a permit this year compared to last, and anticipates even less buying them in 2019.