Rockford approves liquor license, resolution, more
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Photos from the inspection of the old auditorium.
By Christa Jennings
Senior staff writer
During its meeting last Tuesday evening, the Rockford Town Council approved a request for a restaurant retail liquor license, a resolution relating to the Simplified Sellers Use Tax, a one-time pay increase for employees, and more.
With Mayor Scott White absent, Mayor Pro Tem Cordarius Lee oversaw the meeting.
Felton Lee, representing LeeBoys Bar-B-Q, addressed the Town Council requesting authorization for a retail liquor license at the restaurant.
He explained that they want to have options for customers if they want an alcoholic beverage. He said that they will be trying to sell beer and daiquiris, adding “no hard liquors right now.”
As such, he said that he came to the meeting to ask for authorization from the Town Council for approval for a restaurant retail liquor license.
Councilmember Lynn Anne Castleberry asked if the restaurant anticipates changing its hours. Lee said no, that the hours will remain the same as they currently are, which are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
Lee further stated that they will reserve the right to not serve someone who has overindulged or who gets too loud. He added that he wants to be seen as a responsible small business owner.
“We want to provide a service, but we don’t want service to get out of hand, so we will reserve the right to cut off,” Lee said.
Town attorney Tom Young addressed Lee saying, “We’ve had a number of people over the several years I’ve been here ask for an alcohol license, and I’ve got this question. I want to be fair about it; we’ve asked them the same thing. Food is your primary thing, is that correct?”
Lee confirmed that it is.
Young went on to ask, “What percentage of your sales do you think will be alcohol versus food?”
“I haven’t sold alcohol,” Lee said. “I don’t know how many people will come buy alcohol. …I would probably say it would be less than one-third of the sales.”
The Council proceeded to unanimously approve the restaurant retail liquor license request for LeeBoys Bar-B-Q, with Mayor Pro Tem Lee abstaining from voting.
Following the approval Councilmember Shirley Ogle asked when the restaurant would start selling alcohol.
Lee said he had to first have the Town Council approve the authorization letter, which then goes to the Alabama State Board. He said he then has to purchase the liquor libation liability license, after which a state representative will come to the restaurant to take photos and discuss it further; however, Lee said he did not know how long the process takes.
In other business, the Council reviewed a resolution regarding the Simplified Sellers Use Tax, similar to the resolution previously adopted by the County Commission.
Young reviewed some information relating to the SSUT program and its history, adding that the resolution for the Council’s consideration was essentially asking the Alabama Department of Revenue not to make exemptions related to the SSUT program.
“These taxes that we get through this program represent a very significant part of how we run our government here and provide services for the citizens,” he said.
Legislative Act 2015-448, titled the “Simplified Seller Use Tax Remittance Act,” allows eligible sellers to participate in a program to collect, report and remit a flat 8% sellers use tax on all sales made into Alabama.
An eligible seller is one that “sells tangible personal property or a service into the state of Alabama from an inventory or location outside the state, but does not have a physical presence in the state.”
Enacted in 2015, the SSUT program collects online sales taxes which generate more revenue for the state, counties and municipalities.
The program provides a regular stream of revenue with SSUT amounts being distributed monthly. Of the 8% tax collected, the state receives 50%, all counties receive 20%, and all municipalities receive 30%. While counties and municipalities across the state share the revenue brought in by the program, the state splits its received revenue with 75% going into the state’s general fund and 25% into the Education Trust Fund.
During the meeting it was reported that the Town of Rockford typically has $20,000 to $30,000 of revenue per year generated from the SSUT program. For this month to date the town will be receiving $2,648.34 from the tax program.
For the year to date, as of press time, Rockford has received $30,323,94. Since January 2016 to date, the town has received $171,225.12 in revenue from the SSUT program.
Following brief discussion, the Council unanimously approved and adopted the resolution 2025-11 1 regarding support of the SSUT program as is.
The Council also unanimously approved one-time pay increases for all employees, as has been done annually.
This year the Council approved the same pay increase as last year, which was $500 for full-time employees and $250 for part-time employees. This will apply to the town’s four part-time and two full-time employees, for a total of $2,000.
The Council also unanimously approved a one-year contract renewal with Avenu/Neumo relating to business licenses, with no changes in the fees or terms of the contract.
Mayor Pro Tem Lee also provided the Council with a report regarding an inspection that had been done of the old school auditorium. He explained that some cracks in the gym had been inspected, and the town had the auditorium inspected at the same time.
Photos from the inspection were provided to the Council members for review. No action was taken during Tuesday’s meeting, but Lee asked that the Council members take it into consideration and consider what they want to do regarding the facility to potentially vote on the matter next month.
During the meeting it was also announced that the town’s Christmas event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 6, with the parade at 6 p.m.
Three government students from Central High School Coosa County were also present for the meeting as part of their class curriculum.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. December 16.
The audio recording of this month’s meeting is available here.
