LOWELL — Aldermen on Tuesday approved an ordinance setting permission fees for liquor, beer and wine sales.
The ordinance was approved on a split vote. Janette Lasater and Terry Sayre voted against the issue.
“I know the residents of the county voted to allow liquor sales but it goes against my church and my belief; that’s why I voted against the ordinance. I don’t always follow the majority,” Lasater said.
Sayre said he thought the process was moving too fast.
“I know on Jan. 1 liquor sales will become legal in Benton County. I just see no sense in rushing into it. I think we should have had three separate readings of the ordinance over a period of three meetings to give residents a chance to voice an opinion,” Sayre said.
No audience members spoke against the ordinance Tuesday.
The ordinance establishes three fees for liquor, beer and wine sales. There is a $750 annual permission fee for any business wholesaling liquor.
There is a $500 annual permission fee for off-premise retail sales and a $500 fee for on-premises sales.
The ordinance also states liquor for off-premise consumption may not be located any closer than 1,000 feet from a church or a school, which is set by state law.
The ordinance also sets a 50-foot no sale radius from a church or a school for the sale of beer and wine.
Rick Crisman, deputy director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, said the state does not have specified radius for beer or wine sales in regard to schools or churches.
“They tried to set a 50-foot radius but it didn’t work out,” Crisman said. “So there is no radius restriction.”
Alderman Dean Bitner asked if the ordinance should be changed to reflect the state’s take on the radius.
Aldermen decided to leave the 50-foot radius in the ordinance, noting they could change it later if necessary.
Alderman-elect Ronnie Breland said he had studied the state law and it was his opinion beer and wine could not be sold in convenience stores.
Crisman said Breland was reading the state statutes incorrectly.
“I think you are thinking about liquor, not beer and wine. The state treats beer and wine differently than liquor. Beer and wine sales are allowed in convenience stores,” Crisman said.
The deputy director told aldermen beer and wine sales in Benton County could begin as early as Jan. 17.
The Alcoholic Beverage Control board meets on Jan. 16, Crisman said.
“If Benton County licenses for beer and wine are approved on Jan. 16, they could actually begin selling beer and wine on Jan. 17,” Crisman added.
Liquor, beer and wine sales for off premise consumption will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
No alcohol sales will be allowed on Sunday or Christmas, according to the ordinance.