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PRCAC to draft support letter after liquor-permit fees jump for rural nonprofits
Summary
A Point Roberts participant urged the PRCAC to ask state officials to reduce or exempt nonprofit liquor-permit fees after the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board raised the fee from $60 to $90; members agreed to draft a letter framed for 'rural communities.'
A participant identified in the record as the committee secretary urged the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee to write a letter supporting Circle of Care and other rural nonprofits after the state increased liquor‑permit fees.
"The permits have gone up 50%, which was an act of the legislature," the secretary said, describing an increase from $60 to $90 and the move to an automated application process with less human assistance. The speaker said the fee spike forces nonprofits to raise prices or absorb costs for small local events such as the holiday fair and asked PRCAC to request either an exemption or an adjusted fee for rural areas.
Members discussed how to frame the request so it could apply to similar unincorporated or rural communities rather than only Point Roberts. Chair proposed wording that targets "rural communities" rather than a single community so counties or cities such as Everett or Bellevue would not be treated the same as small island or peninsular communities.
The committee agreed a draft letter would be prepared and circulated for review before sending to the county or state representatives. The draft will ask for consideration of fee relief for rural nonprofit events and point to the practical effects on volunteer-run community services.
