MAGNOLIA, AR – Magnolia will need to rework existing regulations of food trucks before it can accommodate the tastes of hundreds of students from India who attend Southern Arkansas University.

City Attorney Mike Boyd described the challenges ahead for Magnolia when it comes to food truck regulation during a City Council meeting on Monday.

The council took up an ordinance at the meeting that would allow food trucks to operate for limited periods on private property. Members ended up tabling the matter for more discussion next week.

Magnolia’s current limitations on food trucks limit their number of operating days, and imposes fees that are designed to discourage out-of-town vendors from disrupting Magnolia restaurants that pay city sales taxes.

The proposed ordinance sets a $200 per quarter operating fee for food trucks.

The issue has been brought to a head by SAU’s desire to meet the food needs of Indian students.

SAU President Dr. Trey Berry on Monday asked the council to consider a variance that would allow a food truck with Indian food to set up at the Harvey Couch Business Park.

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