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Knoxville beer inspector reports two businesses served alcohol to minors; city records show higher-than-expected fine revenue
Summary
At the May 27 meeting of the Knoxville Beer Board, Beer Inspector Presley reported that two businesses served alcohol to minors during a May compliance sweep; the board's clerk reported beer-fund fines and a $240,000 fund balance, and a market reached an agreed order for a seven-day suspension and $1,000 fine.
Officer Presley, the beer inspector, told the Knoxville Beer Board on Tuesday that a May compliance sweep checked 14 businesses and found two that sold alcohol to a minor. "Of those 14 businesses, 13 of those had beer permits. Two of those beer permitted businesses served alcohol to a minor," Presley said, identifying Big Kahuna Wings on Montview Center and The Bridal Box on Gleeson Drive.
The report was part of a wider enforcement update that included resolved and pending disciplinary matters. Mister Johnson, the board clerk, told members Harbes Market had entered an agreed order with the city law department that will result in a seven-day suspension and a $1,000 fine, including hearing costs. Johnson said a separate case, listed as Harvest, has a pre-hearing conference scheduled in June. "Both of these cases arose over a failure to pay a $500 fine after being cited for selling to a minor and also failing to file remedial plans by the deadline," Johnson said.
Johnson also reviewed the beer fund's financial figures. He said the board budgeted $10,000 for fines this year and has collected nearly $24,000 so far from fines and related investment income. He reported a beer-fund balance of $240,000, and noted that not all of those funds are appropriated in the current year's budget. "$240,000 is the fund balance for the beer fund, and this is funded entirely through beer fines," Johnson said.
Board members did not take additional enforcement action during the meeting on the two businesses Presley named; the inspector's report was informational. Byrd, a staff member in the business tax office, handled routine procedural items and answered questions about case scheduling and follow-ups.
The inspector's compliance check was conducted "in conjunction with the TABC," Presley said, referring to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Board members and staff discussed next steps for venues cited for minors-sales violations and reminded applicants at the meeting that approved permits may still require certificate-of-occupancy, zoning or building-code steps before a business may open.
The board moved on after the enforcement and finance reports without additional votes tied to the compliance sweep. The board chair said staff would continue to work with businesses and to schedule hearings where required.
