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Texarkana delays citywide food-truck rule changes after vendors and directors raise questions
Summary
Directors tabled proposed amendments to Ordinance 12-2018 that would apply mobile food vendor rules citywide, add a 20-foot setback and clarify a $250 annual permit with a $50 temporary-event fee after questions about wording, commissary requirements, hours and enforcement; staff will return with clarified language and vendor input.
The Texarkana Board of Directors on Nov. 17 debated proposed amendments to Ordinance 12‑2018 that would expand mobile food vendor regulations citywide, add a 20‑foot setback from streets and other structures, and clarify fees and enforcement. After questions about unclear wording, commissary permits, hours and enforcement, the board voted 4–3 to table the item for further clarification and vendor outreach.
Vendor representative Lamoria Blackwell, who said she helps promote Front Street events, told the board she was surprised by a newly described $50 temporary-event fee that would apply to nonlocal vendors in addition to a $250 annual permit. "This $50 fee is something new," Blackwell said, asking how the additional charge would be applied at recurring events. Staff answered that the $250 annual permit covers citywide operations and that vendors who come only for one event would instead pay a $50 temporary fee; the $5 public‑health inspection fee charged by the health department remains separate.
Directors pressed staff on multiple items: whether the amendments should have gone before the planning commission (staff said the rules are not in the zoning chapter and do not require planning commission review), the fate of a previously included $150 commissary permit (staff said commissary arrangements work differently and the fee was removed in the revision), and whether hours of operation (7 a.m.–10 p.m., with midnight allowed by permission) remain appropriate. Staff also confirmed a new 20‑foot minimum distance from public streets or other structures was added in the revision.
After discussion about word choice and enforcement on weekends, Director (unnamed) moved to table; the roll-call vote to table was 4 in favor, 3 opposed. Directors voting to table were Assistant Mayor Harris, Director Hulibush, Director Brewer and Mayor Brown; Directors Jewell, Smith and Roberts voted no. Staff said no citywide enforcement change would be imposed immediately and that the item will return at the next meeting after clarifications and possible workshop input from vendors.
What's next: Public Works will prepare clarified ordinance language, engage local vendors for feedback and present a revised item at a future workshop or meeting.
