Frequenters of Boone County parks may soon be able to purchase alcoholic beverages during specific events.
The Boone County Fiscal Court conducted a first reading on Tuesday for an amendment to Chapter 96.7 of the Boone County Code of Ordinances regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages in county parks.
If passed, the amended ordinance would allow properly licensed vendors and individuals to sell alcohol during certain events held at Boone County Parks by obtaining a special events permit, County Administrator Matthew Webster explained. Under the amendment, people who purchase a $25 occupational license fee would also be eligible for a permit.
“This is something that we’ve been working on for a while,” said Commissioner Jesse Brewer, who filled in for Judge/Executive Gary Moore.
Chapter 96.7 of the Boone County Code of Ordinances declares that it is unlawful for any person to possess or consume alcoholic beverages in any county park or parks department facility for public recreation.
Permitted events would include concerts and specific events like the LWS Open at Idlewild – a professional disc golf tournament held annually at England Idlewild Park outside of Burlington.
In addition, special events permits are only recommended for Idlewild, Boone Woods and Central parks because the three parks have shelters available for rental to the public.
Webster mentioned that Boone County began exploring the idea last August. The county formed a committee consisting of Webster, Boone County Alcoholic Beverage Control Administrator Lana Vines, and representatives from the sheriff’s department, parks department, and communications department to collaborate on a report outlining the potential impact of the prospective amendment.
After getting the go-ahead from the fiscal court, county staff began to craft an ordinance with the suggested changes.
“Staff was directed to perform an analysis of the issue and provide recommendations for how an amendment to the county ordinance could be constructed to permit alcohol at special events in some county parks,” Webster said.
When first presented, the amendment included language saying special event permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages would expire at dusk. A discussion ensued about what the county considers dusk to be.
“The reason I’m asking about the language of dusk is I’m wondering if there’s a scenario where we create a conflict where the park doesn’t close at dusk, but they’re limited on alcohol permitting by dusk,” Hand said.
Boone County Parks Director David Whitehouse said the county doesn’t typically host events past dusk at public parks.
Hand suggested striking the reference to dusk altogether to avoid confusion, instead opting for language that would restrict special event permits to last only during hours the park is open. The change was ultimately implemented.
“It would read something more along the lines of a special event permit for the sale of alcohol should only be issued to a licensed vendor for events occurring during our open hours or something like that,” he said.
A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for the regularly scheduled fiscal court meeting on Tuesday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Boone County Administrative Building in Burlington.
