The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
The Hancock County Board took no action on changing the number of available liquor licenses they can grant, although the topic was discussed during their regular meeting July 19.
The county currently can issue five Class A liquor licenses in unincorporated areas of the county. All five are currently granted to businesses.
In May, Tanner Freiburg president of Maxamillion, Inc., of Quincy, asked the county board to increase the number of liquor licenses that can be issued. His family has purchased the Country Companies building in Niota to establish a video gaming parlor. Video gaming parlors require a liquor license to operate.
“I’m here to ask that you grant a liquor license for our property in Niota,” Freiburg said. He described the income generated for the counties where his family’s other gaming parlors are located. For example, the parlor in East Hannibal generated $47,000 in taxes last year. He stressed his family’s roots in Hancock County, coming from the Tioga/Sutter area.
John and Grant Rea, who recently purchased the Wye Knot Tavern in Niota, which offers gaming, and is in the lot next to the proposed parlor, are asking the county not to issue a license right next to their business.
Freiburg said he believes the clientele coming to his gaming parlor would be different than those coming to the Wye Knot Tavern. He also noted that if people come to his parlor to game and all six machines are busy, they might go next door and both businesses could benefit.
A recommendation on increasing the number of liquor licenses the county can issue has not yet come to the full board from the Building, Grounds and Insurance committee.
Currently the county issues liquor licenses to Wye Knot Tavern in Niota, Lake Hill Winery and Dirty Bird Grill near Carthage, Smokin’ Gun Club in Sonora Township, and Koechle’s Press House near Nauvoo.
The board authorized the county road engineer to order a 2024 Freightliner truck chassis from Midway Freightliner and a Duraclass dump bed from Knapheide.
The board approved paying $30,012.88 for LUCAS breathing machines for the ambulances using ARPA funds.
The copy machine in the Circuit Clerk’s office needs to be replaced. The board approved buying a Sharp NX-M3071 copier for $5,000 with a five-year lease and maintenance bundle, also using ARPA funds.
In the Finance Committee report, it was noted that, following the first property tax payment deadline, distributions have been sent to many taxing bodies. The schools asked that their money not be sent until after their fiscal years began on July 1.
The board authorized naming Allison Davis, chief deputy in the Circuit Clerk’s office, as a signer for the office checking account, and giving County Treasurer Kris Pilkington view-only access to the account.
Sale of two properties in Walker Township and Warsaw were approved.
The board approved the list of 165 election judges for the next two years.
Dale Quimby, Joe Smith and Nancy Krekel were appointed to three-year terms on the Hancock County Board of Health.