Proposed restaurant fee draws reaction

The restaurant permit fee would range from $100 to $325 depending on the establishment’s risk category. Risk is assessed based on handling of potentially hazardous foods, business volume and previous violations.

Health Director Kevin Gipson said Springfield is the last metropolitan area in Missouri without a fee for restaurant permits; he noted that fees in Kansas City range from $275 to $500, while St. Louis County fees range from $193 to $451. Even areas closer to Springfield charge fees – Christian County charges $2 per seat, while Polk County charges $100 to $200.

“We don’t believe that we’re doing something that isn’t done elsewhere,” Gipson told council, noting that the fee would be a one-time annual assessment, regardless of the number of routine inspections required for the business. “It’s never a pleasure to add these sort of (fees), but we’re in a position where we have to do that.”

Several restaurateurs were upset by the possible fees, including Anton’s coffeehouse owner Anton Tasich, who noted the other obstacles his industry is facing.

“People aren’t going out to eat as much because of higher gas prices, grocery bills are higher, companies are adding fuel surcharges to everything, minimum wage has gone up and is going to go up some more, and now we’re adding another inspection fee to restaurants to detract from their bottom line,” Tasich said. “Restaurants are faced with enough costs as it is.”

The bill estimates about $230,000 in new annual revenue from the restaurant permit fees, with the money going back into the health department to help fund general operations.

Council could vote on the fee schedule, which also included increases in fees for several permits such as rezoning, preliminary plats and planned developments, at its June 16 meeting.

See SBJ's June 9 issue for more Springfield City Council news.