Another step has been taken to potentially allow permitted alcohol sales in three Boone County parks.
In August, the Boone County Fiscal Court requested a committee be assembled to offer recommendations regarding a potential update to the county’s ordinance addressing alcohol in parks.
During Tuesday’s Boone County Fiscal Court meeting, the committee indicated an ordinance update to be beneficial. Alcohol sales are not currently allowed in any county parks.
“We had a very good discussion around the pros and cons of a potential change,” Boone County Administrator Matthew Webster, a committee member, said. “And it became the consensus of our working group that we did see some benefit, on a very structured and limited basis, in recommending to the court potential update to our ordinance.”
Panel recommendations, Webster said, include:
- Special events permits are only recommended in England Idlewild, Boone Woods and Central parks – because those are the three parks equipped with shelters available for rental to the public.
- Any use of alcohol would be strictly regulated for special events by licensed vendors.
- Not permitted for general possession or consumption in the parks.
- Permits would be limited to special events only.
- Sales would be permitted only by obtaining a permit outlining all requirements and regulations.
- The consumption of alcohol would be restricted to designated areas and not permitted in the parks generally.
- Special events permits would only be available from noon to dusk.
The committee included Boone County Parks Director David Whitehouse, Boone County Assistant County Administrator Matt Dowling, Boone County Parks Maintenance Superintendent Micah Feldhaus, Alcoholic Beverage Control Administrator Lana Vines, Boone County Sheriff’s Office personnel and Boone County Communications Senior Manager Elaine Zeinner.
“I would like to move forward and see something drafted,” District 3 Commissioner Jesse Brewer said.
Some of the ordinance language would require law enforcement to be on the premises and parks department personnel would also be on site to assist with checking identification, Webster said.
“Law enforcement would be on site in case anyone didn’t follow any federal state or county ordinances,” Webster said, adding an ordinance with amended language would be drafted and presented to the fiscal court for consideration.