City adopts alcohol server-training ordinance; enforcement delayed until Nov. 15

The Idaho Falls City Council on Thursday adopted an ordinance adding a new Chapter 2.1 to Title 4 to require alcohol-server training and certificates for servers, certain security personnel and their immediate managers.

City Attorney Jones told the council the ordinance includes an escalating penalty structure and provides time for local license holders to comply. "The requirement to have alcohol server training would not become effective in until November 15th of this year," Jones said, a delay the city says will allow the Idaho Falls Police Department to offer free in-person sessions and for an online option to go live.

Councilors and public commenters who supported the measure praised the compromise over penalties and the availability of free trainings. The council passed the ordinance under suspension of the rules and directed the city clerk to publish the summary. The ordinance requires license holders to ensure covered staff maintain a valid certificate and establishes penalties for violations.