New fees for alcohol licenses were approved by the Banks County Board of Commissioners Tuesday afternoon and while they are up over the current rate the hike is not as much as had been planned.
The original proposal was to double some of the fees and commissioner Rickey Cain said this would be a hardship on some business owners.
“We are doubling it,” Cain said. “I think you should do it a little at a time if you are going to do it.”
Commissioner Joe Barefoot agreed: “These sizes of increases are going to negatively effect these businesses.”
Instead of doubling the fees, most went up $200 to $500 over the current rate. The new fee schedule is as follows:
•Beer-package: $600 (new fee); $400 (old fee).
•Wine-package: $400 (new fee); $200 (old fee).
•Beer-consumption: $750 (new fee); $500 (old fee).
•Wine-consumption: $750 (new fee); $500 (old fee).
•Distilled spirits-consumption: $3,000 (new fee); $2,500 (old fee).
The administration fee for business licenses was increased from $5 to $30.
The new fees will become effective as of Oct. 1.
For more coverage from the BOC meeting, see this week's issue of The Banks County News. 
Sabbath or at least MY bible says, however most Baptists wish to promote their own agenda. God forbid a glass of wine on Sunday but bet your bottom dollar you're right there at Ryans, Sonny's or KFC eating their buffet an hour after church! And before you got there you were standing in the church parking lot gossiping about brother Floyd's cousin who was caught speeding, or you were smoking your cigarette throwing the butt on the ground, littering? And you with a straight face condemn a glass of wine on Sunday? He will spew you out of his mouth!