Fees have been established related to two resolutions passed earlier this month by the Waycross City Commission for alcohol beverage licenses and business and occupation taxes.
The fees, which were proposed by City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford to raise revenue, will take affect beginning July 1 for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Rayford used examples of similar levels from a handful of nearby municipalities prior to the March 4 vote.
Following is the new fee schedule (and old cost) for alcoholic beverage licenses.
Package sales only:
• Beer, $805 ($243.75);
• Wine, $525 ($175);
• Liquor, $2,500 ($1,587.50).
Consumption on premises:
• Beer, $800 ($293.75);
• Wine, $550 ($243.75);
• Liquor, $3,500 ($2,500);
• Background check, $20 ($0).
All fees will be due and payable at the time of the application for the license requested.
Following is the new B&O structure (and old cost):
• Applications, $100 ($50);
• Relocation (one address to another),
$100 ($0);
• Name change, $35 ($0);
• New agent/manager change (alcohol licenses), $400 ($0).
These fees will be due and payable on or before April 1 of each year.
Finance Director Greg Smith said projections for the dollars realized from the increases will be determined during the city’s budget process, which began this month. They are scheduled to conclude next month ahead of mandatory public presentations by he and Rayford ahead of the June 30 deadline.
The alcohol licenses and B&O taxes are just part of the fee increases Rayford has proposed to bring more revenue into the city and bring them in line with those of surrounding cities.
Vote for the increases was unanimous among the three commissioners present — Shawn Roberts, Sheinita Bennett and Alvin Nelson — at the meeting.
