The Morgan County Commission on Aug. 20 granted contingent approval to sublease the eastern half of the county gravel parking lot for the Bath Christmas Market, with specific start times and conditions intended to reduce disruption to county operations.

The motion approved a contingent sublease for the eastern half of the lot starting Wednesday, Dec. 10 at noon, unless the event organizers will not open until later in which case the organizers may start on Thursday or on Wednesday at 5 p.m.; the motion noted an additional approval step remains with the property owner. The motion passed on voice vote.

During discussion commissioners raised concerns about employee and juror parking during the event, and asked staff to identify alternate parking nearby (for example, asking neighboring property owners or volunteer fire departments for temporary space). Commissioners also discussed how the lot has been used in prior years, the need to clear county vehicles from the lot on event days and the risk of attendants parking for long periods during market days.

One commissioner said the county needs assurance the lot will be used by the market beginning at the stated time and not be reserved all day if the market would not open until late; another suggested outreach to neighboring property owners for overflow parking.

The commission’s approval was contingent on organizers completing the separate property owner step and subject to staff follow‑up on parking accommodations for county employees and jurors on market dates.