Although the licensing of ice cream trucks was approved by city council last summer, their familiar jingle has yet to be heard on any of Orillia’s streets — with one would-be vendor pointing to the city’s high cost of licensing as an impediment to doing business.
In May, Barrie-based business owner Nick Karabetsos wrote a letter to council after learning of the costs to operate in the city, which includes an $861 licensing fee and proof of $2 million in general liability insurance.
In his letter, he encouraged the city to lower its fee to “something more affordable” so residents could “have a cool treat in the summer months.”
“I just want to say that I’ve been in the business for 38 years, and I’ve been licensed by eight different cities, and the most I ever paid was $300,” Karabetsos wrote in his letter. “I just renewed my licence for Barrie and it was $265, Alcona was $300, Alliston was $170 (a) couple (of) years ago. $900 is more than triple the going rate for the same-size city.”
In his response to Karabetsos, Mayor Don McIsaac said the potential impact on “brick and mortar” businesses was taken into consideration with council’s decision, and that the licensing fee is meant to offset administrative costs.
“The city’s business licensing fees are intended to offset the administration and enforcement of Chapter 700, and at this time, there are no plans to reduce the licence fee for ice cream trucks,” the mayor wrote. “However, your request will be kept on file and may be reviewed at a later date.”
Permitting ice cream trucks has been a recurring debate at the council table, first by former councillor Mason Ainsworth and most recently by Coun. Jeff Czetwerzuk, who gained council’s support on the idea last summer.
“I brought this forward … because of the support I’ve heard from the constituents for the return of ice cream trucks,” Czetwerzuk said at a council meeting last year. “It’s also been brought to my attention that ice cream trucks are still currently running in Orillia, even though they’re not permitted, and this was a concern as it does not allow for the safety concerns to be addressed or managed.”
However, city staff told OrilliaMatters no vendors have registered to operate an ice cream truck in the city.
“While fee structures between municipalities can vary and we cannot speak to the licence fees of other municipalities, the Orillia licence fees were established based on the need to cover costs associated with the administration and enforcement of the bylaw,” said Shawn Crawford, director of building, parking and transit services.
Karabetsos did not reply to requests for comment on this story.
