The Farmers Market Committee, chaired by Commissioner Cheryl Walker, met in the large courtroom on Monday, September 21, 2026. Two members of the Union County Farmers Market addressed the Committee. One accused the Committee of creating distrust and division regarding the Farmers Market and the other maintained that the Farmers Market had operated for 16 years without being county managed and questioned if starting fresh would cost taxpayers more money. A former Union County Commissioner, Larry Lay, commented that the buildings were built with taxpayer money and should be managed by a county paid individual. All three spoke under Public Comment and the Committee did not respond to the Public Comments.

However, members of the Committee reviewed information in a booklet that the UCFM provided. Questions were asked by Committee Members on utility costs and operating expenses in general. Attorney David Myers explained the Memorandum of Agreement that the UCHF had with the County. The original memorandum had been met in 2020. A Farm Grant for $1M was secured in 2023 to remodel the pavilion building. Tourism grants were also obtained for improvements to Heritage Park and the pavilion extension. Rick Riddle noted that deficiencies in the building had been corrected to the best of his knowledge.

The Committee asked for the duties, responsibilities, and pay of the current manager of the UCFM. Several members of the UCFM Board responded that the market was run by volunteers, but the operations manager was being paid by a grant.

Attorney Myers suggested that if the Committee chose to do a contract, the duration should probably be 5 years to allow for a review during each term of the Union County Commission. He also suggested that the UCFM give the Committee an inventory of all of the equipment owned by UCFM. The completion of the kitchen is currently on hold due to the action of County Commission according to Donna Riddle of the UCFM. The use of the former kitchen cost $11 per hour. Ms. Riddle noted that expanding the kitchen was necessary to accommodate a high school or college class and the charges help maintain the equipment.

After about an hour, the Committee set October 19, 2026, at 6:00 to have a workshop with County Commission to share information and discuss what other information is needed. Then the Committee adjourned.