Ever tried to get a special events permit to allow alcoholic beverages?
Ever tried to pull a permit to sell beer and wine and /or hard liquor?
Ever tried to just renew an existing permit to sell beer and wine and/or hard liquor?
If not, get ready for a major "permit pulling" migraine.
Get ready for mind-bending delays and required city department 'hopping" to fill all the squares.
And get your pocketbook ready for excessive fees and inordinate delays in the process.
A recent study conducted by the Cities Work think tank and members of Shreveport's Small Business Task Force crystallized a well-known headache for Shreveport's businesses dealing with alcohol. The report stated that Shreveport must make it easier to obtain/renew alcohol licenses both by streamlining the process and ensuring that the process can be done online.
Bill Sabo began his job as Shreveport's Economic Development Director on Nov. 1. In his comments to the council before his confirmation he promised to make it easier for small businesses to start, survive and expand.
And guess what?
Sabo has been working with the various city departments involved in the alcohol process. He reported to the recent meeting of the council's Public Safety Committee meeting that he hoped to soon have an online permitting process up and running. This would allow application, payment and the printing of approved permits from home/office computers without a single trip downtown.
Wow--Sabo may just bring the alcohol permit process into the 21st century! And that if just for beginners! One can expect more Shreveport city hall outdated and archaic processes and procedures to become truly user-friendly.