Buffalo County Board of Commissioners

Retail Liquor License and Special Designated License, County Board role (premises outside city and village limits)

Nebraska retail liquor licenses are issued by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, and for premises outside the corporate limits of any city or village the Buffalo County Board of Commissioners is the local governing body. Under 53-131(2) the Commission notifies the county clerk of a new application, and during the 45 days after receipt the County Board may submit recommendations on granting or refusing it. Under 53-134(7) the Board may fix a hearing, with notice published once not less than seven nor more than fourteen days before it, held not more than 45 days after the Commission's notice, and records a resolution recommending issuance or refusal. The annual class fee is set by state statute, not by the county: 53-124.01(11) sets Class A (beer, on premises) $100, Class B (beer, off premises) $100, Class C (on and off premises) $300, Class D (off premises) $200, Class I (on premises) $250 and Class J $50, and 53-124(6)(b) requires it to be paid directly to the county treasurer for premises outside city/village limits; 53-134(4) has the County Board receive these fees and pay them to the treasurer. The state's own fees go to the Commission: a $400 non-refundable application fee ($1,000 for a cigar shop) and a $45 renewal fee (53-131). The license year runs May 1 to April 30, and November 1 to October 31 for Class C (53-124(10)). Section 53-124.11(4) provides that a special designated license shall not be issued by the Commission without the approval of the local governing body, which for premises outside city/village limits is the County Board (the Board may designate an agent); the special designated license fee of $40 per day is a state fee collected by the Commission. The County Clerk's fee list shows "Liquor license" as "Depends on class of permit".