HERMANN – The Gasconade County Commission July 23 declined to reduce the county’s annual liquor license fee for distilleries, wineries and breweries.

The decision during last Thursday’s Commission session came a week after Copper Mule Distillery owner Don Gosen made a personal plea to county administrators to reduce the $1,250-a-year fee, arguing that the amount – which is the same as the amount assessed by state government – results in few county services for the producers, unlike the various services provided by the state.

State law regarding liquor license fees governing the distilleries, wineries and breweries was adopted in 1939 and it allows county governments to levy a fee equal to the state fee. Gasconade County administrators chose to set the local fee at the state amount many years ago.

Gosen has filed his request for a reduction before, noted County Clerk Lesa Lietzow, but he had not directly made the request to the commission until the July 16 session.

Northern District Associate Commissioner Jim Holland, R-Hermann, said he had spoken with winery operators who were satisfied with the existing fee.

Likewise, Southern District Associate Commissioner Ron Hardecke, R-Owensville, said he, too, had talked with another other member of the industry who had no issue with the amount. “He thinks it’s fine the way it is,” Hardecke said.

The issuance of all liquor licenses for businesses throughout the county generates about $35,000 a year, Lietzow noted.

There was a concern that if the liquor license fee was cut, it would lead to requests for reductions in other fees assessed by county government. “It will snowball into other licenses, as well,” the county clerk said. “I’m not in support of a reduction,” she added.

Hardecke offered a motion to keep the existing liquor license fee intact. Holland agreed with the motion, as did Presiding Commissioner Tim Schulte, R-Hermann, although he did say he feels the $1,250 amount “might be a little excessive.”

In other matters during last week’s session, the commission awarded the contract to Jost Tires of Owensville to provide tires for the county’s Road Department equipment. Jost was one of three tire dealers who submitted bids. Tires purchased by the county range from those on the pickup trucks, to the dump trucks and tractor-trailer to the road graders.

Schulte publicly acknowledged the work of Sheriff Scott Eiler and his deputies in helping the Hermann Police Department with traffic control following the visit to Hermann by Union Pacific’s Big Boy steam locomotive. One of the largest steam engines in the world, the Big Boy made a 15-minute stop in Hermann and attracted a crowd estimated to include at least 2,000 visitors to the riverfront. City streets were clogged for some time as visitors tried to make their way out of town.

The commission will not meet this week. The administrators traditionally cancel the session held during the week of the Gasconade County Fair as the three officials join other county government employees who work in the food booths.

The next session will be Thursday, Aug. 6, at Owensville City Hall. Schulte is scheduled to be absent from that session.