CARMEL, Ind. — With just over a month until opening day of Carmel's annual Christkindlmarkt, there's been a shake-up of organizers. As reported last week, it started with Mayor Sue Finkam announcing she wants to re-prioritize spending and form an advisory board. Now, Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. (CCI), the nonprofit that runs the market, says it's lost all three of its own board members. You can already see the ice rink starting to take shape at Carter Green. But Mayor Sue Finkam says the cost of setting everything up is one reason to re-evaluate the city's spending on the entire event, which officials say has grown to the fourth-largest attraction in Hamilton County with a $23 million impact. "It's nice to walk around down there and have something to eat and drink and buy some knickknacks for the Christmas tree," local Ben Baldwin said while on a walk down the Monon. It's not just hot chocolate that brings in the big bucks. "When I was looking for my apartment, because I just moved here three months ago, one of the big selling points was that it's right on the city center square, and it's walking distance to the farmers market and the Christkindlmarkt," said Grace Teutscher. As those iconic wooden huts began arriving, CCI officials said their board was gutted by the city. "We went to the meeting thinking we would be able to hammer out some of the issues and instead were told that we were resigned," said Brenda Myers, former CCI board member. "We were offered positions on the advisory council, but I refused." Myers says they were working to make the market financially independent, per the city's request, when the mayor decided to bring on her own advisory board. Myers and Sven Schumacher were let go, and board chair Sue McDermott resigned. "The worries, to me, would be for the new board and some of the fiduciary issues that we were concerned about as trustees of the organization and their willingness to take on those risks," Myers said. It came at a time CCI was interested in year-round programming opportunities. “Carmel has a city sister relationship with a city in Germany, and also to really expand educational awareness about those relationships," Myers added. "The nonprofit has a little bit more latitude on some of those things than just an annual event.” Finkam has said she wants to better protect taxpayers this holiday season after city leaders didn't recoup expenses in previous years. She gave the following written statement on Monday: As mayor, I was elected to make good decisions on behalf of our community, decisions that protect taxpayers and provide greater transparency. By instituting a change in governance, we are now able to access financial and operational information to help ensure fiscal accountability to taxpayers. This information, even after repeated requests, was not provided. Market leadership was never asked to be accountable in this manner, even though their 2017 founding documents required it. Market leadership, vendors and volunteers are still fully empowered to provide an incredible market experience. We all look forward to a great holiday season. Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam In response, former CCI board chair Sue McDermott provided the following statement: The statement from the Mayor, indicating that repeated requests for financial information were not granted, is false.  To my knowledge, the board received a request on July 3.  This request was from Samantha Karn.  She requested the P&L (statement of activities) for the year ended March 31, 2024. This document was provided to her in five days (over a holiday weekend). Moreover, the city's claim that the finances were the pivotal issue is a false narrative. The reimbursement portion of the agreement between the city and the market had largely been resolved through the negotiations. The remaining issue that had become a sticky point related to the city's demand that it be granted ownership of the market and its trademarks. The CCI board could not agree to that as it would place the nonprofit status of the CCI at risk. Former CCI board chair Sue McDermott Christkindlmarkt officials added: "City Council had representation on our board from 2017 to January 2024 when Jeff Worrell served on our board as city council liaison. During that time, he and the City had access to all documents discussed by the board and at any time, former Mayor Brainard or current Mayor Finkam have always been welcome to join our board meetings. "The four members of the mayor's new advisory board approved an operations and reimbursement agreement Friday that gives the city of Carmel ownership of the market and its trademarks, but has yet to be signed by the mayor and CCI. City officials continue to emphasize: 'there will be no change to the wonderful market experience.'" Newly-appointed board chair Maddie Augustus provided the following statement: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as board chair for Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Inc. (CCI). Since its inception, I have cherished the market and the memories it has created for my family and me each year. I take this responsibility seriously and the board is committed to ensuring a wonderful experience for visitors, vendors, and the broader Carmel community, all while adhering to federal tax requirements, emphasizing transparency and accountability. I asked the market’s legal counsel for guidance on this issue, and they advised me that from the beginning of its creation, CCI is a tax-exempt organization under Code Section 501(c)(3) and is a public charity because it is a supporting organization to the City of Carmel, Indiana. As a Type I supporting organization, it must be organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of the City and must be operated, supervised and controlled by the City. CCI accomplishes this through its cultural, educational and charitable programming, and through the operation of the market on behalf of its parent organization, the City of Carmel. The board is dedicated to supporting Maria Rosenfeld, the Market’s President and CEO, in creating and delivering a 'best in the nation' event where the Carmel Christkindlmarkt team feels supported, and the community can come together and enjoy the festivities they eagerly anticipate each year. I hope that all members in our community can come out to the market and create lasting memories of their own!” Board Chair Maddie Augustus “I think the City of Carmel loves this event. I really do. What they don't love is its burden to the taxpayer," Myers said. “This is just an unfortunate miscommunication, I believe, two passionate groups of people who think they know the solution, and we just don't agree on how to get there.”