Public commenter urges returning liquor-by-the-drink funds to original uses and questions board roles in Go Topeka

Henry McClure addressed the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners during the Oct. 27 public comment period, urging the county to examine how liquor-by-the-drink revenues are allocated and to consider returning funds to their original purposes.

McClure, identifying an initiative he called “Project Otis,” said about $2.1 million flows into Shawnee County from liquor-by-the-drink collections and questioned allocations that now direct substantial shares to city general funds and parks and recreation. “What better place to come with all the illustrious attorneys we have here,” McClure said, urging legal review and reallocation to programs he said were intended to address domestic violence, alcoholism, drug abuse and homelessness.

He also raised concerns about overlapping roles between public officials and the nonprofit Go Topeka organization, saying elected leaders and staff serve on Go Topeka’s board and questioning whether that arrangement effectively transforms the nonprofit into a quasi-governmental entity. “At what point does a not-for-profit working for a contractor really just become a government organization?” he asked.

The comments were delivered during the meeting’s public comment segment and did not prompt action by the commission at that time.

Why it matters: McClure’s remarks put a spotlight on how locally collected liquor-by-the-drink revenues are used and on governance of public-private economic development organizations. Commissioners did not respond with action during the meeting; McClure’s statements are a public request for county review or further inquiry.

Source: Public comment by Henry McClure, Oct. 27 Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners meeting transcript.