Port Richey committee waives $100 vendor participation fee for centennial festival; fire inspection fee remains council decision

Port Richey’s Centennial Events Committee voted to waive the $100 participation fee for all vendors at the city’s May centennial festival, saying the decision would keep smaller vendors and tent-based sellers from being excluded in the city’s 100th‑anniversary celebration.

The vote, taken during the committee’s public meeting, followed more than an hour of discussion about the difference between the application/participation fee and a separate fire‑inspection charge that the City Council had on its agenda to consider waiving. Committee staff and members repeatedly noted that food trucks traditionally pay the participation fee because they prepare food on site and typically require a heavier inspection than a tent vendor selling prepackaged goods.

The vote centered on two distinct charges vendors face: a $100 application/participation fee the committee had previously set for food trucks, and a newer fire‑inspection fee (discussed at the council level) that could add roughly $150 in some cases. Veronica, the committee’s event coordinator, explained the distinction: "I'm not opposed for food vendors for the application to be waived. As far as the inspection, that's not on our agenda today. That will be for council," and said she was notifying vendors as information solidified.

Committee members and vendors raised concerns that charging food trucks — but not tent vendors or non‑food sellers such as the book trailer operator — could create perceived unfairness and cause some food trucks to cancel. TJ Lombardo, a resident who spoke during public comment, suggested a compromise: "maybe you pick something that levels out everywhere? So maybe you picked something like 25 no matter what is a fee for a vendor to come in," and proposed a smaller base fee plus an extra charge when an inspection is required.

Committee members discussed several practical points that shaped the decision: how vendors have been notified; how many food trucks can fit in the park (the committee estimated a handful on May 17 and more on May 18, with the 18th close to capacity); generator and propane rules that trigger inspections; and how to physically site food trucks on the gravel area to meet safety requirements. Veronica told the committee she had confirmed the majority of vendors by email and that the event was effectively full for both days.

The committee vote approved waiving the $100 participation fee across all vendors for the centennial event. The meeting record shows the motion, a second, and a voice vote; committee staff later confirmed the waiver passed. The separate fire‑inspection fee remained subject to City Council action that same evening and was not decided by the committee.

Committee members and staff also flagged operational issues to implement the waiver and run the event: the city needs to finalize which vendors will require fire inspection (generators, open‑flame cooking, or enclosed trailers), communicate clearly to vendors which fees (if any) they should expect, and confirm parking/site layout and spacing with Public Works and Fire Department personnel.

Logistics for the festival were discussed at length: Veronica said vendors should arrive at 9 a.m. on the 17th (gates open at noon) and between 3:30–4 p.m. on the 18th (gates open at 6 p.m.), and that public works would place vehicles and enforce 10‑foot spacing for food trucks using generators. She also raised a specific vendor question about a bookselling trailer (Lola's Blind Books LLC) that might require inspection because it is an enclosed trailer with its own generator; the committee directed staff to coordinate with the Fire Department to determine inspection needs and whether additional spot fees apply.

Members emphasized outreach: most vendors had been emailed setup details, and staff planned follow‑up messages with assigned spots and arrival times. The committee also reviewed volunteer coverage, wristband orders, parade staging and timing, youth volunteers for lawn games, and safety measures for attractions such as a dunk tank and inflatable obstacle course. Public Works and Fire Department presence during the event was expected to support safety and provide on‑site inspections where needed.

The committee’s decision to waive the vendor participation fee was framed repeatedly as a measure to encourage participation for the centennial celebration, but members also recorded concerns that waiving fees entirely could create long‑term expectations of free participation and cause equity issues for future events. Staff said they would notify vendors of the committee decision, track any refunds if fees had already been collected, and coordinate with council staff about the pending fire‑inspection fee.

What’s next: committee staff will confirm vendor lists and inspections with Public Works and Fire, send follow‑up set‑up emails, and implement the participation‑fee waiver. Council consideration of the fire‑inspection fee remained scheduled for the council meeting later that night.