With the last Class A liquor license all but handed out, those who currently own a liquor license will see an increase in renewing fees.

According to the DeKalb Municipal Code Chapter 38, there are 17 types of liquor licenses, as well as several temporary licenses.

While the increases have not passed the DeKalb Liquor Commission, acting mayor Kris Povlsen said the commission has discussed them “at length” and believes they will be passed sometime in April.

According to the Liquor Commission agenda, those holding a Class A license, such as local bars and liquor stores, would see an increase from $1,925 to $2,500 which is approximately a 30-percent increase.

Povlsen was quick to defend the increase.

“We haven’t raised liquor fees in 10 years,” Povlsen said. “It really only amounts to about 3 percent per year.”

The agenda indicated the commission already approved an increase in the initial issuance of a Class A license March 20, 2007, increasing the fee from $3,000 to $10,000.

“We wanted to make sure businesses entering DeKalb came in with enough capital to establish a serious business,” Povlsen said.

The Northern Star contacted multiple liquor license holders, but as of press time none had responded.

Other license increases affect Class C licenses for those businesses designated as clubs and Class E licenses for restaurants.

If passed, the Class C issuances would increase from $3,125 to $4,100. The renewal would also rise from $1,375 to $1,800.

Class E issuances would increase from $3,625 to $4,750 and the renewal from $2,600 to $3,400.

Povlsen said there isn’t a rush to pass the increases, because the law would not go into effect until licenses are up for renewal around the end of September.