With most COVID-19 restrictions lifted for large scale events, many annual festivals and gatherings are back on for this summer.
Events like the Taste of Buffalo and Erie County Fair draw out scores of food vendors, which means they need to go through a permit and inspection process with the Erie County Department of Health, and that costs money.
To help alleviate some of that burden, Erie County Legislature Minority Leader Joe Lorigo is floating legislation to waive that fee.
“We've introduced a resolution to eliminate that fee, that still allowed for all of the sanitary inspections and things like that, but simply waive the fee to give these restaurants and small business owners a break when they need one most.”
The Minority Caucus submitted the resolution to the county legislature, but instead of a vote, the Democratic majority has sent the resolution to committee.
Fees for permits and inspection can range from $150 and $210, and are good for only two weeks. With the Taste of Buffalo just a few weeks away on July 10, Lorigo stressed there is urgency, and that the county is in a good position.
“Erie County right now is flush with more money than we've had in I don't know how long because of the American Rescue Plan,” said Lorigo. “And we try to help out small businesses, because we believe that they're the ones that need the most help.”
The resolution was sent to the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, meaning there could be discussion on it as early as next week.
