What was previously limited to one as of a 2002 adopted ordinance, the Dell Rapids City Council took steps to expand allowances for off-sale alcoholic beverage licenses within the city.

After discussing a draft ordinance that would increase the number of allowable off-sale licenses to two, the council ultimately chose to alter that number to four.

The original ordinance was adopted in January 2002, and the current holder of the sole license is the city bar. City administrator Justin Weiland said that based on population figures, the City of Dell Rapids could be allowed four licenses according to state standards.

He said that he did not foresee issues with competition for off-sale alcohol sales by allowing the ordinance change. “If anything I would think there would be more liquor revenue for the city if you open it up,” he said.

Mayor Scott Fiegen said that he was unsure why it was limited to one per the city in the first place.

“(If) somebody else comes in, you have to go back and change the ordinance,” he said, expressing concern that a subsequent requested increase from two to three or four would mean putting through another ordinance down the road, including costs for publishing and time spent on additional readings by the council.

The voting body opted to introduce the first reading of the amended ordinance with four said licenses allowable within the city.