By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Vendors at special events in Alabaster will not have to pay a sales tax deposit to the city after the City Council voted to waive the deposit for some vendors during its Nov. 4 meeting.

As a result of the ordinance, vendors at short-term events in Alabaster who anticipate less than $1,000 in sales during the event will not be required to pay a sales tax deposit before the event.

Vendors with anticipated total sales of $1,001 and above will be required to pay a tax deposit:

• $1,000 and under, deposit is $0

• $1,001-$2,500, deposit is $50

• $2,501-$5,000, deposit is $100

• $5,001-$10,000, deposit is $200

• $10,001 and above, deposit is $400.

Before the ordinance was passed, small vendors at events were required to pay $100 to obtain a one-day business license from the city if they were not already licensed. The fee typically was waived for vendors.

Now, vendors at short-term events will pay only $25 for the one-day business license, which still could be waived by the council.

Alabaster City Manager George Henry previously said the city holds about 10 events every year, often requiring the City Council to vote several times each year to waive the $100 fee for small vendors.

Henry previously said the city gathered feedback from small vendors during the city’s recent Fall Fest before voting on the tax deposit changes. Many vendors at the Fall Fest reported between $25-$100 at the event.

The changes were meant to ensure vendors of all sizes are able to continue participating in city events, Henry said.

All vendors still will be required to pay a 4 percent sales tax to the city on all items sold.