The Cole County Commission has decided the county will not collect liquor license fees from groups serving alcohol at fundraising events, although state law would allow them to do so.
During Tuesday's County Commission meeting, County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer said his office has received numerous calls from groups asking if the county required them to have a liquor license for a special event.
Cole County has been collecting liquor license fees from established businesses but never from groups hosting events such as fall festivals. Last year, the fees collected from businesses brought in $53,000 to the county.
Korsmeyer said they found the county could have been collecting liquor license fees for these events for many years, and most counties do require groups to get a license.
Commissioners decided it was best not to require the groups to have a county license so they can keep more of the money raised at these events.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, county Ambulance Director Jerry Johnston announced the department began using its new system of answering 911 calls on Tuesday, as planned.
Dispatchers will be able to give callers step-by-step instructions on how to handle their emergencies before crews arrive. This includes CPR, helping choking victims and assisting in delivering a baby.
Over the last few weeks, the department has been training its 14 dispatchers ahead of the new protocols and software.
In late January, the commission approved more than $95,000 for a new computer dispatch system. The money will come from the ambulance service capital budget.