Aragon increases number of beer and wine licenses for businesses

The City of Aragon now has an increased number of beer and wine licenses available for purchase by businesses who want to serve alcohol to customers following a unanimous vote during their November meeting.

Aragon's city council voted to approve the increase from the number available from four to six in both categories after officials from Dollar General asked to get a beer package license but found none open to use.

Now four of the six available licenses are now used up, with two in beer sales open for businesses to apply for and purchase. Three licenses for wine sales are available as well after the council also decided to increase the number for future use.

Aragon business owners who want to sale beer or wine in a store or restaurant have to apply for the license through the city and have it approved by a major-

ity vote of the council once background checks on the applicants are completed.

The latest change to the number of licenses was approved during their Nov. 17 session of the city council.

Another change approved by the council during their meeting was an increase to the spending limits that Mayor Garry Baldwin has in emergency purchases.

Now should an problem arise or a part break on a city vehicle that needs immediate attention, Baldwin can spend upward of $1,750 without council approval.

His reason: some jobs just have to be done right then.

"We had two tires that needed to be replaced on a police cruiser, and if we'd had to put four on the car at one time that would have required us to bid them out," Baldwin said.

The range now that Baldwin can spend without coucil approval is set from $200 to $1,750.

New appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals

Melisa Hughes might not have won the election to be mayor, but she'll still be involved in local politics with the city as the newest member to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

With Baldwin and council member Hunter Spinks forced off the board after they were voted onto the council, the seats came open and two people showed immediate interest: Hughes and council candidate Kelsey Collum.

Due to the recount held in previous weeks in the vote between new council member Debbie Pittman and Collum, the council was not yet able to confirm Collum onto the board. They did go ahead and appoint Hughes to one of the open seats after they both volunteered for the posts in the city's work session prior to the council meeting on Nov. 17.

Training budget to be increased for new council members, mayor

The City of Aragon's budget was almost per- fect this year, but things went a bit haywire following the death of two mayors and the resignation of a council member.

Now state required training for Pittman and Baldwin will require some extra funds be shuffled around to cover costs before the 2017 fiscal year runs out in June.

Some $1,650 will be spent for the pair to go to training courses in the winter months.

City Clerk Sandy Norman will also be attending courses in the coming months, already part of the FY 2017 budget covering $1,450 in costs.

She said the conference would help greatly expand her knowledge to help with issues within the city itself, and to help with community-based issues as well.