Revamp of beer, wine fees proposed

Rome’s finance committee is expected to consider today a proposed overhaul of the alcohol license schedule.

The Rome Finance Committee is slated to decide today on a major adjustment to alcohol license fees for 2018.

A staff proposal calls for lowering the fees for most existing permit categories — a move that would bring Rome closer in line to prices in other communities but likely cut revenue by more than $46,000.

However, the Alcohol Control Commission is recommending a more significant hike in the cost of a beer package sales permit, to $1,500 a year from $850. Grocery stores and other large chains won’t notice the hit, ACC member John Kendricks said, and small convenience stores are the biggest violators of underage sales and illegal gaming laws.

“If they pay that much, they may think twice about risking their license,” Kendricks said.

The board — made up of three appointed citizens and three elected commissioners — agreed on the adjustment, although Commissioner Bill Irmscher abstained because he also serves on the Finance Committee.

“I’m like John,” ACC member Colin Doss said. “I don’t care if we’re the highest in the nation on beer package. … They’re selling beer and cigarettes, but the attraction is the lottery machines in the back.”

The ACC also recommended a flat $2,000 for wine package permits, an increase from the $1,500 recommended by staff. Either one would be a decrease from the current fee of $2,885. Liquor package permits would remain at $5,000 — the state maximum — although there would be a discount for outlets that need both wine and liquor licenses.

The big changes come with the alcohol-pouring license options.

There’s a proposed addition of a separate category for brew pubs and microbreweries, at $2,500 for a license to both manufacture and serve. And a $500 permit would be available for places like hotels and salons that want to offer complimentary drinks.

“The ‘hospitality’ license would allow beer or wine to be offered as an amenity to the business,” City Clerk Joe Smith said. “They would still have to apply for a license and comply with all the laws.”

The proposal also would set flat fees for $1,500 each for beer and wine pouring licenses. Currently, the fees range from $1,200 to $2,200 depending on the volume of alcohol sold. However, Smith said accurate information is not available from new distributors based outside the county.

“State law doesn’t require them to give us volume data and they won’t,” he said.

The base rate for liquor pouring licenses would drop slightly, to $2,500 from $2,990. An additional fee for $2.34 per liter sold would remain, but the total price would be capped at $5,000.

Smith said permits for by-the-drink and package sales would be available starting Dec. 1.