With strong input from local restaurateurs, Owensville’s Board of Aldermen began notifying peddlers and street vendors there will be no more free rides.

City officials are in the process of reworking their city ordinances and enforcing laws on the books regarding business licensing. “The law has been on the books but not in the correct spot,” said Joe Purschke, the city’s attorney.

City Administrator John Tracy was instructed by the board to send letters out as of Friday notifying vendors and owners of business lots of the city’s plan to enforce its codes. The city’s code covering business licensing was listed in Planning and Zoning regulations.

Local restaurant owner Rodney Jett, of The Cafe´ Company, asked the board to “level the playing field” noting outside vendors do not pay “bricks and mortar taxes” like establishments on fixed building  sites. McDonald’s owner Mike Edgcomb commented that outside vendors didn’t pay sales taxes in Owensville. “Where is the sales tax going?” asked Edgcomb rhetorically. “It goes where the business license is.”

Aldermen have received complaints about vendors on private parking lots selling everything from food to tennis shoes. The county fair, non-profit and charity organizations will be allowed to sell food. The city will, however, request they seek permission first so that city officials are aware of their scheduled intentions to be selling items.

The city’s current code reads (Section 400.350: It shall be unlawful for the owner, operator, lessee, or attendant of any parking lot to permit motor vehicle repair work, service, vending, selling offering for sale or display of merchandise.

The board is expected to consider for adoption a solicitors, canvassers and peddlers code similar to one in use in Union. City officials were checking whether or not they could charge up to $50 per day for a peddler’s license.