By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
SUAMICO – In an effort to help restaurants and bars negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the village board directed staff last month to draft a resolution to prorate the liquor and beer license fees for 2020-21 by taking three months off, effectively reducing the fees by 25 percent.
The lower fees would apply for licenses taking effect July 1 and running through June 30, 2021, either renewals or those initially issued.
Village Administrator Alex Kaker said the village sought creative ways to help businesses, which took a financial hit from the pandemic when they had to close or scale back operations while the state’s Safer at Home order was in effect.
Kaker said multiple municipalities across the state have reduced liquor and beer license fees, either by charging only the state minimums or prorating licenses by taking about two months off the annual fees.
He said the village would expect to receive $12,500 in annual fees by leaving them unchanged, presuming all current license holders renew, while revenue would be reduced to approximately $10,415 by pro-rating with two months off.
Kaker said the village would receive only $950 by charging the state minimums for the licenses.
He said the motion the board passed to prorate the licenses with three months off would reduce the fees by 25 percent, which is expected result in annual revenue of $9,375 if all license holders renew.
The board favored a 25 percent reduction based on the pandemic’s effect on local businesses.
“They’ve been shut down for three months,” said Trustee Mike Schneider. “It’s going to take them a while to get back to zero.”
Fees lowered elsewhere
Suamico would join other municipalities in Brown County in lowering liquor and beer license fees upon the resolution being approved.
The Howard village board decided April 27 to reduce the annual fee for a Class B liquor license from $500 to $50, the state statutory minimum, and also eliminated the $100 fee for a Class B beer license.
The resolution passed in Howard was worded similar to one approved by the City of Green Bay to assist local bars and restaurants.
Village Administrator Paul Evert said Howard expects to receive around $14,000 less in revenue by reducing the fees, provided the same number of licensees renew for 2020-21.
The De Pere Common Council voted April 21 to also reduce its Class B liquor and beer license renewal fees to $50 and $0, respectively.
City Attorney Judith Schmidt-Lehman said the reduction in fees is expected to result in approximately a $28,500 reduction in revenue for De Pere in 2020.
Don Mjelde, president of the Brown County Tavern League, has asked municipalities in the county to reduce fees for the next licensing period because of the pandemic.