ORANGE PARK, Fla. – The future of the Orange Park Farmers’ & Arts Market came up during recent discussions about a budget gap initially projected at more than $600,000, prompting concerns among vendors that the market could be reduced from twice a month to once a month.
Town officials say the gap was reduced during the budget process and that the adopted fiscal 2026–27 General Fund budget includes about $360,649 in planned use of reserves to balance the budget.
The market is held at Town Hall Park on the first and third Sunday of each month. Nearly 70 vendors participate, drawing hundreds of shoppers and supporting local businesses.
“My customers mean the world to me,” said Melanie Maylon, founder of Southern Style Bread Pudding and a market vendor. “We really work our butts off here and do everything we can to support our small local businesses.”
Concerns about the market’s future followed a Sept. 15 Town Council meeting, where leaders discussed ways to address the town’s projected budget gap.
During the meeting, vendor Karmen Matthews, owner of Glass Cactus Jax, asked whether the market was being considered for a reduction from two Sundays a month to one.
“It’s under discussion,” a council member responded.
Matthews said cutting the market’s schedule could hurt vendors and reduce attendance.
“I feel like if we cut it in half, we’re going to really lose our audience,” Matthews said. “It would be a severe detriment to this market, and I fear it wouldn’t be the same, and we would lose our vendors that have been coming consistently.”
Emily Dockery, the town’s event and recreation coordinator, said town leaders were examining potential cuts in preparation for the possible financial effects of Amendment 3. Dockery said reducing the market to once a month was one option discussed as officials considered whether it could save money.
Amendment 3 is the proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved in November, would drastically reduce property tax revenue available for local governments.
Town spokesman Gary Goble said there is currently no plan to reduce or discontinue the market, which he said is fully funded in the fiscal 2026–27 budget.
“No decision regarding the Farmers Market has been made in connection with Amendment 3,” Gary Goble, town manager for the Town of Orange Park, said in an email. “Until the outcome of Amendment 3 is known and the Town can determine what, if any, financial impact it will have on the Town, we have not discussed eliminating or reducing specific programs as a result of the amendment.”
Goble said the town does not currently have a formal economic-impact study of the market. He also said no alternatives are under consideration because no action has been taken to reduce or discontinue it.
The town’s adopted budget includes $360,649 in planned use of reserves or fund balance. Goble said the town considers that planned reserve use rather than an operating deficit.
The town reduced that gap through expenditure reductions, position and program adjustments, and other reallocations before adopting the final budget.
Matthews said vendors would be willing to help preserve the market if the town faced financial pressure.
“Whatever the vendors can do, we can do it,” Matthews said. “A big sale, a community gathering, or a fundraiser saving this market is worth it to us.”
The Orange Park Farmers’ & Arts Market is scheduled to continue twice a month. Town officials said they will evaluate Amendment 3’s effect on future revenues and expenditures after the outcome and implementation details are known.
