Wallace says 'No' to alcohol license fee increases

WALLACE –– The Wallace City Council voted against changing the prices on the city’s beer and liquor licenses following a public hearing last week.  

The city had been working on amending the language within its liquor license ordinance to remain compliant with the rest of the state. However, as the ordinance was being amended, it was discovered that state statute allows cities to charge up to $200 for the various licenses related to alcohol sales.  

This constituted a 100% cost increase. 

Ben Allen, the city’s legal representative, explained how the verbiage in the proposed amendment came directly from the state statute, but ultimately, the city had the authority to determine its prices as long as they stayed within the state’s maximum.  

Several business owners spoke during the public comment period, including Jocelyn Bachman, the owner of the Silver Corner Bar.  

“These fees appear to echo what I've found the Coeur d’Alene liquor license rates to be annually,” Bachman said. “And, as many of us do like to say, Wallace is not Coeur d’Alene. Here, most restaurants and bars charge less than Coeur d’Alene in an effort to stay affordable to the average Silver Valley resident.” 

The question asked by many residents was why the city was exploring increasing the rates in the first place.  

“It would be helpful if we could understand what the reasoning behind it is,” Barbara Strother said. 

According to Allen, the reason had little to do with the city and more to do with what was in the state code and what other similar communities were doing. In Idaho, separate licenses are required for the sale of beer or wine and liquor, the licenses are further divided by whether the alcohol is consumed on or off the premises from where it was purchased. These licenses are required for all restaurants, bars, grocery stores, gas stations, and fraternal organizations if they sell alcohol. 

Members of the council echoed the curiosity of their constituents and were frustrated by the confusing nature of the state’s rules concerning beer and liquor licenses and they affected the proposed amendment to the ordinance.  

“I don’t understand why we raised the prices,” Councilwoman Cindy Lien said. “I don’t think the businesses should have to pay because we rewrote the ordinance.”  

Councilwoman Michele Bisconer agreed with Lien’s opinion and ultimately motioned that the council accept the amended ordinance but without the fee increases. 

“I think a 100% increase in every category is a lot,” Bisconer said. “I wouldn’t be averse to keeping them the same or a small percentage increase, but I think that is a huge jump for one year.”