Watching city coffers continue to drain, the Los Angeles City Council is hoping to charge local farmer’s markets up to tens of thousands of dollars for providing traffic control services, something the city had mostly absorbed in the past. The L.A. Times reports that about half of our city’s 48 certified markets could be affected by a new ordinance that would make it easier to charge farmer’s market management for such services. Mar Vista’s market manager, Diana Rodgers, was recently slapped with one month’s bill for $6,709 and though she had it waived, worries that yearly costs could total over 80 grand, though “no one has given any indication what this is really for.” With farmer’s markets in a panic that they might have to leave their turf behind if Mayor Villaraigosa signs the ordinance this week, local councilman are defending their districts and asking for a clear accounting of potential costs and offered services in the hope of keeping our markets alive.
Famer’s Markets Fear Los Angeles’ Fees [L.A. Times]
