The Rome City Commission will finalize two debated ordinances regarding the sales ratio of food to liquor during its first meeting in February.
The proposed ordinances were presented for a first reading on Monday. Before the meeting, commissioners listened to Alcohol Control Commission (ACC) chairperson Billy Cooper, who shared that the ACC has spent over a year addressing loopholes and creating guidelines to protect against potential lawsuits in the future. Cooper emphasized the importance of this work.
One ordinance aims to eliminate exceptions that currently allow sales of non-food items to contribute to a 50/50 sales ratio. The other ordinance would require that food truck sales be conducted through a business that serves liquor and that this business must also have a physical kitchen on-site.
Mayor Craig McDaniel noted that there seems to be a general agreement among commissioners to support the ACC’s recommendations.
Commissioner Bill Collins raised concerns about the financial impact on businesses required to have a kitchen if they want to use food trucks. Despite this, most commissioners believe it is time to make a final decision.
The final decision is scheduled for the city commission’s meeting on February 10, following a second public hearing.
The meeting will take place at City Hall, located at 601 Broad St., starting at 6:30 p.m., with the caucus scheduled for 5 p.m. in the Sam King Room at the same location.
