Dorchester rolls back license fees

After Dorchester’s bar owners voiced their concerns about new license fees, the village board decided to lower the amounts charged for alcohol licenses at its most recent meeting last Wednesday.

The fees had seen significant increases from the year prior. Retail Class A and Class B liquor licenses were both $100 before the recent changes, but jumped up to $500 this year. Class A and Class B beer licenses and operator’s licenses also saw similar increases.

The extensive increases were part of the village’s attempt to update its fee schedule.

“If I remember correctly, there were some stuff on this list that needed to be changed. It was way too low, and we needed it done kind of in a hurry,” board president Keith Lagemann said at the Aug. 6 meeting.

There was a general consensus among board members that the updated prices were too high, but at least some increase was necessary to bring the village in line with the rest of the area.

“I think we need an increase, but the increase that was there, I think we are the highest in the area,” Lagemann continued.

To that end, the board decided to decrease the fees for the Class A and Class B liquor licenses to $150 and the Class A and Class B beer licenses to $100. The board also decided to revert the operator’s license fee to what it was before the changes, returning it to $10.

“To my understanding, a lot of these bar owners are paying for the operator’s licenses because (the operators) are part-time and would have trouble paying,” trustee Kurt Schwoch said. “So, really, you’re putting all this price on the bar owners.”

There was some discussion over whether or not these changes should be retroactive to earlier this year and if reimbursement should be provided to those who have already paid their fees this year. Some board members said when the changes were brought to the full board last year, they were unaware of how significant the increases would be.

“That’s our fault,” board trustee Clem Klimpke said. “That’s our fault. Yes, it is. But now I’m making a motion to amend that.”

Trustee Tom Carter objected to giving back the money the village had already collected for the licenses this year.

“We got $2,600 income, or $2,700, but you’re going to give that money back. Plus, you’re going to cost the village money to republish the piece (legal notice),” he said. “I have no problem making this for next year, but for this year, that’s already said and done.”

Lagemann agreed with Carter, saying he doesn’t believe the village should be “giving out refunds.”

“I think we stick with it and whatever we set it at now, we set it,” he said.

The board decided to move forward with the changes, making the new liquor and beer license fees effective when they are renewed in July of 2026 and the operator’s licenses effective immediately.

Klimpke cast the only dissenting vote, saying that he believes that those who had paid the higher prices this year should be reimbursed.

Library credit card approved

The board approved a credit card for the director of the Dorchester Public Library to use for purchases of library materials. Previously, the librarian would put the purchases on her own personal card and then the village would reimburse her.

“The library committee thought it was wrong to make an employee use personal credit for this,” trustee Julie Goldschmidt said.

Looking back at the records from the past few years, clerk-treasurer Jenny Reynolds said it appeared that reimbursements between $4,000 and $7,000 were made for library purchases. These purchases were made within the library’s normal budget, but because they would be made when materials would go on sale, it was seen as easier to allow the librarian to make the purchase at the time and refund them later.

Because of the nature of the sales, there was some discussion over the limit for the card. While there was some hesitation to having a larger limit, it was noted that setting the limit too low would defeat the purpose of having the card as the librarian may not be able to take advantage of items on sale.

Ultimately, the board decided to move forward with the new credit card and set a $3,000 monthly limit to accommodate any material purchases that the library would need throughout the year. Trustee Carter was the only dissenting vote, noting that he believed the limit on the card should be lower.