Commissioners, staff respond to farmers market complaints and SNAP rumors; explain limits of county authority under state codes

Commissioners used the Sept. 16 meeting to address concerns raised by farmers market vendors in Harbor and to respond to a public comment alleging commissioners had visited the Department of Human Services to seek termination of SNAP benefits at the farmers market.

Commissioner Coker said he met with market patrons, vendors and managers and found widespread misunderstanding about the roles of state and county agencies in land use and building code enforcement. Using a five-box diagram, he said the state sets land-use and the Oregon Statewide Building Code, and county building staff administer and enforce those state codes. “So even in the definition of our ordinances associated with our zoning, we still are guided by some very, very heavy organization,” Coker said.

During public comment, a resident asked whether commissioners had visited a DHS office to seek termination of SNAP benefits at the farmers market. Director Fitzgerald responded that he had not visited DHS and that county public health programs are not currently monitored by the county. Fitzgerald said the allegation was untrue and called the claim “vicious rumor mongering.” Another commissioner said the board is working to keep local SNAP distribution and central points for benefits intact.

Commissioner Coker said he will continue meetings with vendors and patrons to identify options that comply with state code while attempting to keep the market viable through the winter. He warned the county cannot waive or ‘‘smudge’’ state building codes without risking state enforcement against county staff.

Why it matters: Vendors and patrons rely on the farmers market for income and food access; SNAP operations at the market affect low-income households. Commissioners said they want to support the market but must operate within state land-use and building-code rules administered by county departments.