HAINES CITY ― Haines City officials have agreed to take a fresh approach to regulating the city’s food trucks after a first attempt left local small-business owners with a sour aftertaste.
The Haines City commission voted 4-0 Thursday night to kill its first draft of new regulations on mobile food truck vendors, with Commissioner Vernel Smith recusing himself from all discussions citing a conflict of interest.
The decision came after an hourlong workshop in which numerous small-business and property owners asked city officials to pull back on implementing new regulations that, many said, would practically ban food trucks from legally operating within city limits.
“Our intent was to address concerns brought to this party’s attention by many constituents and lawfully regulate this business in a fair and practical manner,” Mayor Ron Tyler said.
The Ledger asked Haines City staff for any complaints submitted regarding food trucks, or mobile food vendors, within the past six months via email or handwritten letter. Lucia Santa Cruz-Gonzalez, the city’s public-records specialist, said there have not been any complaints.