Friday, July 2, 2004

Hailey ups liquor fees

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

For the first time since 1980 the city of Hailey will increase its annual liquor license fees. A $137 increase effective July 1 represents a 33 percent increase in the fee for bar owners.

Initially, the city was thinking of increasing the fee incrementally so as not to burden Hailey business owners. But, the consideration was dropped because the fee has not been raised in 24 years, and because the city has determined that processing liquor licenses costs more in actual staff time than the fee brings in, said Hailey City Clerk Heather Dawson.

The city amended city code to allow the city to exact the maximum liquor license fee allowed by state law. Now, the annual liquor license fee will be $562, up from $425.

The city is in the process of evaluating the actual cost of services provided to business owners and residents and adjusting fees accordingly. The effort to reevaluate fees is part of the city’s goal of streamlining the city budget.

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