ABC board presents $103,500 distribution check and previews county liquor referendum

Darren A. Barefoot, general manager of the ABC Board, presented Wayne County with a $103,500 distribution check and told commissioners the board expects a new distribution complex to open soon. Barefoot also reminded the board that a November referendum will ask county voters whether to permit sale of mixed beverages, beer and wine across the county and encouraged residents to stay informed via the ABC website. "In about 60 days, we'll have the new distribution complex..." he said, noting the county received $103,500 at this distribution cycle.

Barefoot said last year the ABC retained about $4,775,000 in the county for programs and distributions and that a wider set of legal sales would likely increase local revenues, although exact new revenue numbers were "not known" at the time of the presentation. Commissioners thanked Barefoot for the check and said the board would welcome further detail when staff follow up on the distribution center's open house and any fiscal projections.