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Council cuts new liquor-by-the-drink fee to $300 after public hearing
Summary
The Preston City Council held a public hearing on a new liquor-by-the-drink fee and amended Resolution 171 to set the fee at $300 (down from the proposed $562.50); councilors said the resolution format makes future adjustments easier.
Councilman Jonas moved Wednesday to approve Resolution 171, which adds a liquor-by-the-drink fee to the city's license and fee schedule, with an amendment lowering the proposed fee to $300. The motion carried unanimously.
The city's attorney told the council the ordinance creating liquor-by-the-drink licenses remains in place and that the fee in question must be set by resolution. A written comment read into the record by staff questioned the city's authority under “1947 title 23-919,” warning of a potential legal challenge; Jonas disputed that claim on the record, saying the matter had been settled previously and the city has authority to issue the license.
Council members queried staff about how the $562.50 figure had been calculated and whether the city was required to charge the statutory maximum. Staff explained the fee is based on a percentage of the state license fee; the resolution format was chosen so council can change fees in the future without amending ordinances. After discussion about supporting local businesses, Jonas proposed the $300 amendment and the council approved the resolution as amended.
The resolution also establishes a temporary catering permit (one day per event) for $25 and carries forward existing beer and wine permit fees. The council directed staff to note questions about hours of sale — including requests from a local proprietor to allow Sunday service — for a separate discussion.
