City council: Farmers market won't get event fees waived
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Janesville City Council members declined to waive special event fees for the Janesville Farmers Market.
JANESVILLE — Janesville City Council members on Monday stressed support for the Janesville Farmers Market but declined to waive special event fees for it.
The council recently established a narrow set of criteria for waiving fees for organizations holding events, although the policy does allow the council to consider exceptions. Previously, council members considered each request separately, and some complained the decisions were inconsistent.
The council has waived the fee for the market since 2006. The fee in 2011 includes a $550 event fee and $832 equipment fee.
"We understand the timing is not in our best interest," Lucy Anderson, farmers market board member, said. "However, it (the market) has always been a positive and forward move for the revitalization of downtown Janesville, and we are in hopes that you could continue with that support."
Councilman Russ Steeber said the council is "stuck between a rock and a hard spot" because the city is faced with a budget that is "somewhat overwhelming."
"You guys have done a phenomenal job, but right now I don't think our timing is very good, either," he said.
Councilman Frank Perrotto asked whether the market is now accepting all vendors who apply, and he was assured it is. The former market manager had turned away some applicants if she believed the goods were already represented.
Perrotto noted the market had its best year financially last year.
"What I am personally looking for is true hardship," he said. "I don't see that here."
Councilman Bill Truman said he couldn't support a waiver because he wished he could give one to all groups who organize events that attract people to the city.
Councilman Tom McDonald said he was glad the council was standing by its policy and being more consistent.
"We still support the farmers market," McDonald said.
Only Councilman Yuri Rashkin voted to waive the fee.
"I think we need to support things that are doing good in our community, and few things do it better than the farmers market," he said.
Rashkin supported levying an equipment fee but forgiving the event fee.
Council President Kathy Voskuil noted the market is open Saturdays in May through October.
Apr 1, 2011 at 11:05 a.m.
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Times are hard. A buck is a buck.
Mar 30, 2011 at 8:18 a.m.
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I applaud the council on the decision. Until the management of the market improves the city would only be rewarding the incompetent.
The mismanagement of the JFM has caused it to remain small. If the new JFM board allows the market to grow the city fees will become a minor annoyance.
Mar 29, 2011 at 8:47 p.m.
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wortnik, I apologize, it was you who clarified the yearly event fee charged to the actual organizers vs per vendor. Thnx!
Mar 29, 2011 at 8:44 p.m.
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TommyRay, I wonder.... so is it the event itself then... NOT per vendor? That would make more sense to me.. to a small time farmer, that fee per vendor sounded ludicrous. Good point.. hopefully someone "in the know" will respond.
Thank you for your input!
Mar 29, 2011 at 8:40 p.m.
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Equipment fee is use of barricades. It adds up to about $35 per week. That doesn't include a city dummy to come and set them up. Make your own JFM and have one of the "artiest" paint them up.
Mar 29, 2011 at 7:52 p.m.
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Not really surprised they have to pay...now lets see if the council makes every other group that has been waived in the past prove hardship today......
Mar 29, 2011 at 7:48 p.m.
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But wait, the Farmer's Market doesn't charge admission. Doesn't that make it different from other "events" held in the city?
Mar 29, 2011 at 7:34 p.m.
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I doubt the fees quoted in the article are a per vendor fee. I believe it is the farmers Market as a whole fee. The cost is then allocated among all the vendors depending on the space they need.
Mar 29, 2011 at 7:21 p.m.
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Maybe the Farmers Market Board should consinder a new location...I'm sure there would be something open (for lower cost) on the Northside that would be available with better I-90 access and better parking.
Mar 29, 2011 at 7:09 p.m.
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gmaof3 has some good questions, I'd like to see them answered. And why all or none? How about a startup/hardship case being on a incrimental based fee levying? 50% year one, 65% year two, for example. How about a discount for being 90% local in residency and product? Just my two 'per' cents. ;)
Mar 29, 2011 at 6:13 p.m.
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There are 16 weekends that the farmer's market runs? I'm honestly asking because I really don't know how many weekends it is open. IF it is 16 farmer's market days.... then doing the math here... a vendor would have to clear $87 every weekend before they make a profit. Some of these vendors will struggle to make a consistent profit. I also do not understand the "equipment fee", is this for running water and/or electricity?
Can someone answer my questions? Just curious.
Mar 29, 2011 at 5:45 p.m.
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Let's see, an event that promotes locally grown food, locally made items, and let's charge them for holding it in our city.
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