[JAN. 25, 2006]
The city of Lincoln's liquor committee met on
Tuesday to discuss modifications to the current liquor code. They
reviewed liquor license classes, fees and the number of licenses
that the city would offer. The licenses are granted on a
year-to-year basis, and two establishments didn't want to change
classes this year.
In response to a question as to why this was being changed right
now, city attorney Bill Bates said, "This liquor commission is more
diligent than others in years past."
There are currently 15 Class
A licenses, 12 for Class B and eight C licenses in the city of
Lincoln.
Current types and annual fees:
Class A licenses
are $1,000.
This is for packaged liquor sales only.
There are no additional licenses available.
Class B licenses
are $1,000.
If the establishment has less than 60 percent sales in food, it
qualifies for a tavern license.
One more license remains available.
Class C licenses
are $1,250.
Required if the establishment sells more than 60 percent food,
this provides a restaurant license with a liquor license.
One more license remains available.
Benny Huskins commented that he had said a couple of years ago
when the council voted to increase Sunday drinking hours by two
hours that a fee increase would be talked about in the future. "I
guess now is the future," he said.
Discussion between the aldermen, mayor and city attorney weighed
the cost of increased services in law enforcement, restaurant
inspections and offering sufficient numbers of licenses for the few
establishments that may change classes between B and C from one year
to the next.
The committee determined to raise all license fees equally, so as
to be fair to all. The licenses would be $1,125 each.
One new restaurant going in on the west side applied and received
a Class C license just this last month, Mayor Beth Davis said.
Rob Orr, director of the Lincoln & Logan County Development
Partnership, was on hand at the meeting to say that the city should
expect two or three more restaurants out there. He promised it with
a smile when the mayor asked. He advised that they should take that
into account now.
The committee agreed to increase the number of C-class restaurant
licenses from eight to 10 total.
The council will hear the revised ordinance at the Feb. 14
committee workshop. It will come to a vote the following week at the
Feb. 20 meeting.
This will give the local establishments opportunity to respond to
the changes, the mayor said.
