Owners of local catering companies or wedding reception centers aren't too pleased to have Utah County be their main competitor in the reception business.
Several of the businessmen recently voiced their complaints to the Utah County Commission. They said that by renting out rooms in the Historic County Courthouse in Provo for wedding receptions and other events, Utah County is unfairly competing against them."I don't feel like the county should be competing in the first place, especially when it's funded by the taxpayers," said Gary Nelson, owner of the Colonial House Reception Center in Lehi.
Ron Spotten, who owns the Chil-lon Reception Center in Spanish Fork, said the county is charging much less than other comparable reception centers do - therefore undercutting legitimate businesses.
The county paid nearly $3 million to remodel the courthouse, which once housed both the 4th district and circuit courts. But when those courts moved to the nearby courts complex, the county began renting rooms for office space, as well as renting out the ballroom and rotunda for events, such as wedding receptions.
Commission Chairman Jerry Grover said the county has been looking into what it charges for the room rentals. The county recently reappraised rents for business offices inside the courthouse and raised them for several of the tenants, including the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce.
"We're going to make sure we're not subsidizing the courthouse. We're going to be competitive," Grover said. "I'm sensitive to the fact that we shouldn't be in competition with private enterprise. But if we don't rent out the courthouse, then it's going to cost the taxpayers more."
Commissioner David Gardner told Nelson and the others they face more competition from LDS Church stake centers, which can host wedding receptions for free, than they do from the county.
In addition to the low room rental charges, the business owners claim that receptions held in the courthouse aren't following state health codes dealing with preparation and serving of food, as well as cleanup.
"It would help us out significantly if you were held to the same health standards we are," said Carl Mellor, owner of Mellor Reception Center in Lehi. "I have to pay fees to be harassed by things that aren't incumbent on you when you rent out the ballroom or rotunda."
The commissioners said some changes in the courthouse rental policy could be forthcoming and suggested that the businessmen submit their specific complaints in writing.