The commission voted 5-0 to designate the City of Liberal as the permit holder for the downtown common consumption area and to pay the $100 annual permit fee from the 1¢ sales tax economic‑development fund.

City staff said the commission must name a permit holder to finalize the CCA rollout. Staff explained that permit holders are liable for compliance with the ordinance within the CCA boundaries, except for violations involving the sale and consumption of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverage that occur on the premises of participating licensees; those licensees are liable for violations on their premises. Staff noted the permit‑holder model is standard in cities of comparable size, citing Topeka, Overland Park, Emporia and Manhattan as examples.

Commissioners discussed liability and oversight. One commissioner said he did not want an outside entity to hold the permit because of potential legal exposure and said it made sense for the city to retain authority to review and approve individual participating licensees before those applicants proceed to state approval.

Commissioner Vasquez moved to allow the City of Liberal to apply as the CCA permit holder and to pay the $100 fee from the 1¢ sales tax fund; Vice Mayor Landry seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Commissioners asked staff to prepare an internal approval process for how the city will vet and sign off on individual license applicants before they submit to the state; a staff subcommittee (named in the packet) will develop criteria and procedures.