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Bars Could be Pouring Out Higher Fees if Ordinance Passes

OMAHA (KPTM)- A new proposal for the city could have any business with a liquor license paying a higher tab.

People pushing for the ordinance say it's all to help bring more safety to areas with problem liquor outlets.

But some bar owners wonder if everyone should have to pay to weed out the bad seeds.

"Being a business person I really understand the nature of the conflict because I don't want people coming and getting more involved in my business and more regulation and more taxation."

Ron Samuelson runs two restaurants in the old market. He sells alcohol in both. And if a new ordinance goes through, he could be digging up $75 a year for each. But he's fine with that.

"I think that this might be a necessary tool for them to have." The money would pay for enforcing liquor laws and any investigations that need to happen with problem bars.

"They do put a unique burden on our city resources and taxpayers have been subsidizing that for decades and now we're just asking businesses to play a part in that," Cassie Greisen with Project Extra Mile said.

If it passes any place that sells alcohol would have to follow public nuisance standards.

Organizers say it all amounts to being a good neighbor. "And if you don't follow those then the city would have the authority if this ordinance passes to pull the certificate of occupancy," Greisen added.

"I think it keeps everybody safer. I think it keeps the neighborhood safer, there obviously have been some pretty high profile issues in the old market lately."

He thinks this ordinance could help clean things up and make running  his business easier.

"This is aimed at people who are habitual abusers of the privilege to sell alcohol as I see it."

So he says most businesses shouldn't have any problems.  The ordinance will likely be going before city council in about a month.