Reconsider?
Four months ago the Smithville Aldermen narrowly defeated (3-2) a proposal to amend the city beer ordinance to eliminate the 400-foot distance requirement between a church or school and businesses seeking an on-premises consumption permit. Had it been approved the ordinance amendment would have only applied to the C-2 zone which is the downtown business district and none of the other existing regulations in the ordinance would have been changed.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Bert Driver, owner of the Harvester Event Center downtown, addressed the mayor and aldermen during the public comments period asking them to reconsider the issue. Driver, who already has a city issued beer permit, said changing the ordinance regarding the distance restrictions would not only level the playing field for downtown businesses who might otherwise qualify for a permit but it would bring in more tax revenue at a time when the county is needing more funding with plans to build a new school.
The mayor and aldermen listened to Driver but took no action since it was not on the agenda, nor did they discuss it during the meeting.
Driver also provided budgeted city tax revenues from the sales of wholesale liquor, beer, and mixed drinks over a seven-year period from the fiscal year ending in 2018 to 2024 which showed a jump from total collections of $297,025 in 2018 to $363,996 in 2024. The seven-year total came to more than $2.3 million in tax revenue.
In 2014, Smithville voters approved a referendum allowing retail package stores to sell liquor within the city limits. Two years later in 2016, city voters said yes to a referendum for the legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in City of Smithville (Liquor By the Drink).
“I am here to request this board to reconsider the motion put forth on September 9, 2024 to amend the city beer ordinance and eliminate the 400 foot distance requirement between a church and businesses seeking an on-premises consumption permit for local beer sales, which would only apply to the C-2 Central Business District and none of the other existing regulations in the ordinance,” said Driver.
“That motion failed 3-2 but new information has emerged I would like to share. On October 15, 2024, the DeKalb County Budget Committee voted 5-0 to recommend the county commission approve a $55 million 30 year bond resolution for a new school”.
“Its contingent on Smithville, Liberty, Alexandria, and Dowelltown extending their existing sales tax agreements for the life of the bond. Smithville will provide 2/3 of its sales tax revenue for that school,” Driver explained.
“I have an issue with this council’s decision to shoot down the proposal to allow sales of beer by the drink in downtown; there are two establishments already serving beer and alcohol in the district”.
“Beer is an important source of sales tax. In 2024 alone, roughtly $364,000 was collected in Smithville from beer and alcohol sales”.
“That figure will grow if you do what the people want. You represent all of Smithville, not just those who are opposed to beer sales downtown. At present, the situation is unfair. Businesses on the west side of the square, Walnut, Market, and Main cannot sell beer while those on the east side can because of the location of churches”.
“All the business owners have invested time and money to revitalize downtown but they don’t all enjoy the same opportunity to prosper. Beer sales by the drink will help all businesses and it will even the playing field”.
“I am a man of faith and fully support our churches in all their efforts. I am also protective of our community and want to see it thrive. Beer is legal and there is a process and procedure to obtain a license,” Driver continued.
“Most establishments that sell beer are family friendly. In fact, I own two of them. We are all in business together and we want to see Smithville prosper. A thriving downtown with restaurants that attract people is important to downtown revitalization. Beer sales are one part of that and an important source of tax revenue”.
“I urge you to reconsider the ordinance you defeated in September and pass it so the community can move forward with commerce and success. When one boat rises, we’ll all rise together,” said Driver.