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Local business owner urges fees for mobile vendors and a Main Street vacancy tax
Summary
Business owner Bridal Castow told the Rangely council mobile/temporary businesses may divert revenue from local businesses and proposed rethinking fees for mobile operators; she also suggested exploring a vacancy tax for unused Main Street storefronts to incentivize occupancy and reinvestment.
Bridal Castow, who identified herself as a Main Street business owner, told the council mobile or temporary businesses (food trucks, itinerant vendors) can 'take a lot of money away' from local merchants and suggested the town consider fee changes so those operators contribute more to local special districts.
"I think we should really explore a vacancy tax on Main Street," Castow said, arguing unused storefronts create eyesores and reduce downtown vitality. She cited examples from other communities (e.g., Montrose) where vacancies that exceed a threshold trigger additional fees to encourage reuse. Council members asked clarifying operational questions about which properties and time thresholds would apply and encouraged Castow to meet with staff to develop a workable formula.
Council thanked Castow for the suggestions and said staff could research models and potential revenue distribution to special districts; no council motion was taken at the meeting.
