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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 3, 2008 <br />Action Agen a <br />Item No. -;~~ <br />SUBJECT: Change in Orange County Farmers' Market Vendor Fee and Approval of a Mid- <br />Week Market Day <br />DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />Orange County Center <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />(INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Dr. Fletcher Barber, Jr., 245-2051 <br />Tom Stevens, 245-1026 <br />PURPOSE: To approve a reduction of the daily vendor fee at the Orange County Farmers' <br />Market to $5 and to approve amid-week market day. <br />BACKGROUND: At the February 19, 2008 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the <br />Board approved the Manager's recommendation to establish a daily vendor fee in the amount <br />of Ten Dollars ($10.00) that vendors must pay in advance to the Market Manager before <br />vending at the Orange County Farmers' Market. The Board also approved a plan for the <br />market to operate on Saturdays. <br />In order to insure the success of the market and to help reduce the costs associated with <br />participating in a new market, vendors have requested a reduction in vendor fees to $5.00 per <br />day. Market vendors have also requested amid-week market day be established to help in <br />selling produce that would not hold or would be overgrown from week to week. It is believed <br />these actions would reduce hardship, be considerate of current economic challenges and <br />improve the market environment. The changes are recommended by the Orange County <br />Farmers' Market at the Public Market House Interim Oversight Committee <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The daily vendor fee would be reduced from $10 to $5 and may lead <br />to a reduction in market revenues. However, the new reduced fee may also prompt greater <br />vendor participation in the market and ultimately lead to increased revenues. An additional <br />mid-week market day may also prompt additional vendor participation and enhance revenues. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board of County <br />Commissioners approve the daily vendor fee reduction to $5.00 and approve amid-week <br />market day. <br />