BISBEE - Producers of jellies, jams and honey and other prepared commodities may have a fee change by the time the regular season of the farmers markets opens in April.

Alex Heth, the environmental health director for County Health Department, explained during Monday's Board of Supervisors' work session, "We believe there is a need for an annual permit to serve vendors who wish to sell exclusively at open air events, such as farmers markets or other temporary events, and that a reduction in the permit fees paid by those vendors is warranted. This policy sets forth minimum requirements and details the responsibilities of the food vendors, market coordinators and environmental health staff."

The new policy would set three tiers of annual permits, which are specifically for those producers who participate only in open air events or farmers markets. It will not apply to anyone who sells retail or to grocery stores.

The three categories are:

€ Food Vendor I - off-site food preparation, or limited on-site prep with no temperature control requirements. This would include non-refrigerated baked goods, fresh-squeezed lemonade on-site, kettle corn or nuts bagged on site and shaved ice cones.

€ Food Vendor II - food preparation is off-site but needs temperature control, such as meat pies, cheese cakes, pumpkin and meringue pies, tamales prepared off-site and frozen meats.

€ Food Vendor III - cooking is on-site and temperature control is required as in the case of hamburgers, pancakes, burritos, egg rolls and gryros.

"The category distinctions are based on whether or not the food requires on-site temperature control and whether or not there is complex on-site preparation," she noted.

The new schedule of fees suggested was FVI - $50 annually/$25 one-time event; FVII - $75 annually/ $25 one-time event; and FVII - $100 annually/$50 one time event.

"These fees are only based upon cost recovery of expenses such as wages, fuel and travel," Heth said.

Currently, the county requires a $225 annual permit fee for any farmers market vendor.

This has created problems with fewer growers bringing their home-made specialties to sell according to Valerie McCaffrey, manager of the Sierra Vista Farmers Market.

"I commend the health department and the county for the willingness to work with us. I've talked with several small producers and the fees are just too steep," she said.

She pointed out the health benefits to the community that the farmers markets in Bisbee, Elfrida, Douglas and Sierra Vista bring to the community via whole foods and natural meats. You should recognize these local growers and lower the fees. Say you support them," she added.

The problem is just how low can the health department go and still cover the costs for inspections of the kitchens and food preparation areas which must be officially approved.

Supervisor Paul Newman asked how low the department could go without having a substantial effect on the budget, but then suggested the county just lower the fees and subsidize the small businesses.

He continued, "The farmers markets is a fledgling industry can relate to good health for everyone. It's a no-brainer. Promote the health industry."

Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Searle countered that people should know that when they start a business there are costs involved and should be prepared to pay those costs.

"How much do we want to subsidize these producers? It's all part of doing business. We need more time to think about this," he said.

McCaffrey thought the reduced fees were still too high and suggested lowering them further for FVI to $25 annually/$15 one time event and for FVII to $50 annually/$25 one-time event.

The supervisors asked Heth to rework the figures and get back with them as soon as possible, so the new fees can be applied with the seasonal openings of the farmers markets.