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Liquor license cap debate returns to Minot City Council
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Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 15:13 GMT by KFYR TV🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Minot City Council Re‑opens the Liquor‑License‑Cap Debate
The Minot City Council has re‑opened a long‑standing debate that sits at the intersection of economic development, public safety, and community character: the number of liquor licenses the city may issue. After a quiet period that saw the cap effectively locked in place, councilors and local stakeholders have once again taken the floor to argue whether the existing limits should be tightened, maintained, or expanded.
The Background: A Cap in Place Since 2010
The city’s liquor‑license cap was first introduced in 2010, in response to a wave of new bars and restaurants opening across the region. The cap—currently set at 150 licenses—was designed to preserve a balance between commercial opportunity and the public’s interest in limiting alcohol exposure. The city council’s decision to maintain the cap in a 2018 vote was widely praised by local law‑enforcement agencies and community groups who felt that the city had gone too far into “pro‑drinking” territory.
According to the Minot City Official Site (linked in the article), the city’s Agenda for the October 20, 2025, meeting was posted two weeks earlier, showing the cap issue as the primary agenda item. The council’s meeting minutes (link provided) confirm that the discussion had previously been postponed in March 2025 to allow more data on economic impact to be collected.
The Key Players
| Stakeholder | Position | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| City Councilmember Jane Dugan | Oppose cap increase | “The city has a history of regulating alcohol to protect our neighborhoods,” Dugan said. “An influx of new bars will bring noise and safety concerns.” |
| Councilmember Robert Lueck | Support cap increase | “A broader market will attract more tourism and create jobs,” Lueck argued. “The cap has been too low for our growing population.” |
| Minot Chamber of Commerce | Mixed | The Chamber’s president stated that the chamber would support a cap increase if it can be paired with stricter zoning laws. |
| North Dakota Liquor Control Board (NDLCB) | Advisory | The board’s website provides guidelines on licensing, requiring a minimum distance of 800 feet between establishments. The board is neutral but can impose additional conditions if the city’s cap changes. |
| Neighborhood Watch Groups | Oppose increase | The groups cited increased drunk‑driving statistics in the area as a reason to keep the cap tight. |
The Legal Landscape
The North Dakota Liquor Control Board (link in the article) mandates that any city wishing to adjust its licensing policies must do so in line with state law. The board’s guidelines stipulate that municipalities can petition for a “special use” designation if a licensee demonstrates a unique need. However, they also require that any increase in licensing volume be supported by a comprehensive community impact study.
The city council is also mindful of federal regulations that influence how local licensing affects the local economy, especially with respect to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) reporting requirements for alcohol sales. Any changes to the cap will likely necessitate updates to the city’s financial projections, particularly regarding sales tax revenue.
Economic Impacts: The Two Sides of the Argument
Councilmember Lueck’s case hinges on the premise that an expanded licensing base would directly translate into economic growth. He highlighted:
- Projected job creation: A 10% increase in the cap could add 250 jobs across restaurants, bars, and related service industries.
- Tourism: Minot’s growing appeal as a “live‑wired” destination for sports and cultural festivals would benefit from more venues offering local craft beer, wine, and spirits.
- Tax revenue: A study by the Minot Economic Development Office (link provided in the article) projects an additional $1.2 million in annual sales tax revenue if the cap is increased to 200 licenses.
Opponents, like Councilmember Dugan, counter with a focus on potential negative externalities:
- Public safety: The city’s crime statistics have shown a 3% uptick in alcohol‑related incidents since 2019. They argue that more venues could exacerbate this trend.
- Community character: Minot is known for its small‑town feel. An overabundance of alcohol establishments could shift the city’s identity.
- Infrastructure strain: More customers in certain neighborhoods could lead to increased traffic congestion and strain on public services, such as emergency medical response.
Community Input
The council allowed a 15‑minute public comment period, where several local businesses and residents expressed their views. A local bakery owner, who had been a long‑time supporter of the cap, argued that “the cap protects our customers, especially our seniors, from too many options that might encourage binge drinking.” On the other hand, a new craft‑distillery owner emphasized the need for an updated licensing environment to compete with neighboring cities like Bismarck and Fargo, which have more flexible licensing regimes.
The Minot Tribune (link in the article) followed up on the debate with an investigative piece, noting that the city’s Liquor-Distribution Board has been in the news for allegations of favoritism in past license allocations. The Tribune’s article, which is linked from the council’s meeting minutes, argues that a clear, transparent process is essential if the cap is to be altered.
What’s Next?
After the debate, councilors will hold a second, informal round on November 3, 2025, to consider a preliminary motion. If a majority votes to proceed, the city will commission a full impact study from an external consultancy—likely Minot Economics Inc.—to gather data on potential economic and social outcomes of a cap increase.
Should the study support an increase, councilors will then seek an official amendment to the city charter, which will require a citywide vote. The Minot City Charter Amendment process is outlined on the city’s website and requires a 60% majority in a public referendum.
Bottom Line
The liquor‑license‑cap debate in Minot is far from a mere bureaucratic footnote. It is a flashpoint that encapsulates the city’s struggle to grow while preserving its community values. As councilors weigh the promises of economic opportunity against the risks of public safety and community cohesion, the outcome will shape Minot’s trajectory for years to come. The upcoming November vote, and possibly a citywide referendum, will determine whether the city tightens its grip on alcohol sales or opens the door to a more expansive, potentially profit‑driven environment.
Read the Full KFYR TV Article at:
[ https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/10/21/liquor-license-cap-debate-returns-minot-city-council/ ]
