Wednesday, June 13, 2007

City Leaders Finalize Liquor Sales Guidelines

   After taking the matter under consideration for the past four weeks, members of the Lawrenceburg Board of Mayor and Commissioners gave final approval to the city’s liquor sales guidelines last week.

   The guidelines had to be put into place after voters opted to approve a referendum during the May 1 election, allowing the sale of hard liquor within the city limits. Guidelines were approved on first reading during the board’s May 3 meeting.

   The sale of liquor is governed primarily through the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, leaving little authority to local governments. The guidelines approved are similar to the city’s beer sales guidelines.

   Although city commissioners have the ability to place a limit on the number of liquor-selling establishments within the city, members of the panel opted not to establish such a limit. Commissioner and Mayor-elect Keith Durham pushed to place limits, however other members of the board disagreed.

   Commissioner Butch Morrow pointed out, “The city can only support so many of these establishments,” while Commissioner Tim Dickey expressed, “It would be like us placing a limit on the number of car lots there can be.”

   Mayor Allen Chapman added, “I don’t think we should put a limit on it – I don’t think that’s fair. I think it’ll take care of itself.”

   The maximum-allowed investigation fee of $250 was adopted. The ordinance was amended, however, to require that each person associated with the applicant (as in a partnership, LLC, etc.) be required to pay a $250 fee.

   With the ordinance approved on final reading as amended, those wishing to obtain certification from the city may do so, in order to move forward in the process of establishing a liquor business.

   Before adjournment, Dickey moved that all taxes and fees collected as the result of liquor sales be earmarked for use in economic development and by the Lawrenceburg Police Department. Dickey explained, “The voters passed this on referendum with the understanding that funds would be used for economic development. And if the police department is going to have to enforce all of this, I think they should receive the funding.”

   Dickey’s motion was approved.

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