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Event coordinators urge waiving $50 vendor background‑check fee to retain small vendors
Summary
Event coordinators told the board that a $50 merchant background‑check fee deters small vendors from participating in village events; trustees and the vendor coordinator agreed to consider ordinance changes so the permit rules match current practice for events like Oktoberfest.
Ashley, a vendor coordinator who manages several local events, told trustees that the $50 merchant background‑check fee creates friction for small vendors who already pay event fees and insurance costs. "That's $50 that they have to pay for this event," Ashley said, noting that many returning vendors are chamber members or nonprofits and that background checks were not required for similar events the coordinator runs elsewhere.
Trustees and the police chief discussed logistics and liability: Chief Swinford said the current process does not prevent an offender from working a booth and noted the practical difficulty of screening every person who might staff a vendor booth on multiple event days. The board directed staff to draft ordinance edits to align practice with event operations and to bring recommended language back for consideration.
