BELLA VISTA — City Council members on Monday passed an ordinance allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption in the city.
Act 1008 amended the Arkansas Code to allow cities to authorize the sale as long as the city is in a county allowing alcohol sales.
The state statute will take effect Aug. 16; the city ordinance will take effect 30 days from its passing.
In discussion at a June work session, aldermen agreed the ordinance would benefit businesses in the city by allowing the purchase of alcohol at wholesale rather than retail prices and also allow delivery to the business.
Alderman Dick Rooney suggested waiving the third reading of the ordinance, as it would be advantageous to business.
Allotting money to hire a staff attorney was postponed.
Council members tabled 4-2 amending the 2013 budget to allow some additional expenses including a document imaging system, salary for a staff attorney for the remainder of the year and furniture for an attorney’s office.
Rooney and Alderman Jim Wozniak voted against tabling the resolution.
Alderwoman Becky Morgan objected to the resolution, saying she isn't comfortable with a staff attorney hired without the council’s authority. Aldermen may only hire department heads. Morgan suggested the city draft an ordinance creating a legal department, then move forward with hiring someone to fill the department head position.
Mayor Frank Anderson estimated the position will cost the city about $34,000 for the remainder of the year, then $100,000 annually including salary and benefits.
Aldermen plan to discuss the issue further at another work session.
The group plans to meet with the Property Owners Association at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Country Club to discuss aesthetics enforcement and property complaints. The meeting is open to the public.