Council approves new consumption-on-premises liquor license after debate over fee and downtown discount

The Belton City Council approved final reading of Bill 2026‑09, adding a consumption‑on‑premises liquor license to the municipal code and setting the city fee consistent with state statute guidance. Staff said three separate inquiries prompted the change. The measure passed on roll call.

Council Member Richardson moved to reduce the proposed city fee to $25; the motion was seconded but generated extensive discussion. City staff and the city attorney explained the state statute permits municipalities to charge up to 1½ times the state fee, and the typical city practice is to set the city fee at that multiplier. Council members debated whether to adopt a citywide lower fee or to create a downtown entertainment district with a discounted $25 rate limited to a defined zone. Staff warned that the downtown discount would require a separate, well‑defined ordinance and legal vetting; they estimated the typical combined state + city fee could be $150 in practice (state $60 + city $90), and argued a $90 city fee is consistent with peer cities.

Council members raised small‑business concerns and enforcement/refund scenarios: if a business paid the full fee before a district discount was adopted, would it be refunded? Staff said code currently states fees are not refundable but that a refund could be implemented administratively if the code were amended. After debate and questions about consistency and unintended consequences, Richardson withdrew the amendment and the council voted to approve the ordinance as presented.

Next steps: staff will continue work on a broader downtown fee/district approach for later consideration and to ensure any discount proposal is legally and administratively feasible.