2007 News Archive
City of Johns Creek makes additional reduction in alcohol license fees
1/23/2007
The Johns Creek City Council has made a further reduction of more than 50 percent in the cost existing businesses with valid 2006 Fulton County alcohol business licenses will have to pay to obtain a city alcohol business license.
Previously approved city fees included $225 for advertising and $800 for a background check, but City Council members voted unanimously Jan. 22 to eliminate the advertising fee in its entirety and to reduce the background check fee to $500.
The $500 will cover the services charged by a private investigating firm contracted by the city to conduct the extensive one-time only background check of all existing businesses selling alcohol in the city. Administrative costs incurred for background checks (approx. $300 each for a projected 126 businesses) will be absorbed by the City for a projected total of $33,800.
"We certainly appreciate all the public comment we received on this. As we struggled to reach a decision that balanced the needs of our citizens, our regular business owners, and our alcohol business licensees, constructive commentary was clearly one of our most important tools," said Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker. "Based on that, staff and Council worked diligently to get to a compromise that would at one time fulfill our obligation to our citizens and make this process as reasonable as possible for applicants."
City Council had previously agreed to accept Fulton County surveys from these existing businesses, eliminating a $1,000 fee for that service. To date, the total city fees for existing businesses with valid 2006 Fulton County alcohol business licenses have been reduced by $1,525.
All new businesses applying for alcohol licenses in Johns Creek, however, will pay one-time fees for advertising ($300), background check ($800) and survey ($1,000).
"I know we haven't made everyone happy tonight, but I hope our actions demonstrate our willingness to listen and also balance the different needs of our entire constituency," said Mayor Bodker as the Jan. 22 meeting ended.