St. Louis excise commissioner McDonald details $731K budget and liquor license fees

The Budget and Public Employees Committee of the St. Louis City Council convened on May 7, 2025, to discuss the budgetary needs and revenue generation of the city's excise division. Miles McDonald, the excise commissioner, presented an overview of the division's financial situation, highlighting a budget of $731,565 for the year, which reflects a decrease of approximately $10,000 from the previous year.

McDonald detailed that the excise division operates with seven full-time employees, maintaining standard office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the flexibility to address complaints outside these hours when necessary. A significant aspect of the division's role is the collection of revenue for the collector of revenue, amounting to $889,000, which contributes to the city's general revenue.

For the fiscal year 2025, the excise division reported a revenue collection of $208,638, surpassing the projected estimate of $193,700. This revenue primarily comes from various excise permits, including 3 AM permits, caterer's permits, and picnic licenses. McDonald explained the regulatory framework governing liquor licenses in Missouri, noting that cities can charge 1.5 times the state fee. For example, while the state charges $300 for a full drink license, cities can charge $450. However, he pointed out that the Board of Aldermen has not increased these fees since December 2009, suggesting a potential area for future discussion regarding revenue adjustments.

The meeting underscored the importance of the excise division's role in both regulatory oversight and revenue generation for the city. As the council continues to navigate budgetary constraints, the discussions around potential fee increases and the division's operational efficiency will be critical in shaping the city's financial landscape moving forward.