In another effort to help some small businesses affected by the pandemic, Daviess County Fiscal Court approved an order Thursday to waive the $600 annual alcoholic beverage license fees for eligible local bars and restaurants.
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said Fiscal Court had already been looking for ways to provide more relief to local bars and restaurants when the idea was presented.
David Smith, director of legislative services, said Fiscal Court could provide relief for nearly 20 entities, totaling $12,300 in waived fees.
“Unlike the governor’s office, we will not be extending their current license fees. We will be giving them a credit on their bill for those prices,” Smith said. “A restaurant that only gets a retail drink license, it’s $600. You will be billed that $600 and be given a credit for that $600.”
Officials with the eligible establishments will still have to go to the County Clerk’s Office and obtain a 2022 license. They must show up in person, Smith said.
“You are still required to have and apply for the license, but you won’t have to pay for it,” Mattingly said.
Retail package stores don’t qualify for the relief.
While no list of the eligible restaurants and bars has been made public at this time, Smith said he combed through the data to narrow down a list of those who qualify. He said the bills containing the license fees would be sent out to establishments in January.
Porter said Fiscal Court had “basically mirrored what other cities and counties have done” with this relief package.
“It doesn’t seem like a lot of money but, as folks have told us on some other things we’re trying to do for the business community — every little bit helps,” Mattingly said. “We’re just trying to help them keep the doors open. If they’re open today they’ve got an opportunity to be open tomorrow.”
