In an effort to dissuade organizations from submitting beverage operator license applications late, Sturgeon Bay’s Community Protection and Services Committee recommended Sept. 3 that city staff come up with monetary penalties for those who submit late applications. The fees could be between $50 to $100, preferably at $50, said committee chairman Dan Williams.
Given the time involved in doing a background check and determining whether the site where alcoholic beverages would be served with such a license is suitable, Williams said late applications inconvenience the city clerk’s office and police department in handling them.
Rather than outright deny a license submitted late, for which a nonprofit organization could be relying on to raise funds, Williams said a monetary penalty would be preferable and hopefully discourage late applications in the future.
The issue came up at the Aug. 5 Common Council meeting when the Door County Farm Bureau applied for a temporary Class B beer and a temporary Class B wine license to use at the Door County Fair. The Farm Bureau applied late and sought a waiver of the 15-day waiting period for events lasting four days or more.
The license was granted, but generated discussion on the council about implementing a monetary penalty in the future for late applications.
