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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFY 2024 (Department of Liquor Control) Budget Narrative` DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR CONTROL FY 2024 BUDGET AND OPERATIONS SYNOPSIS Leo Sandoval Director 1 Department: LIQUOR Fund: LIQUOR FUND 1. FY 2023 to FY 2024 BUDGET COMPARSION FY 2023 FY 2024 $ + / - % + / - Salary and Wages 511,822 596,710 84,888 16.6% Benefits 303,027 342,722 39,695 13.1% Utilities 118,566 118,566 0 0.0% Vehicle/Equip, Lease 2,759 2,759 0 0.0% Operations 330,733 370,026 39,293 11.9% 1,266,907 1,430,783 163,876 12.9% 41% 24% 9%0% 26% FY 2023 Operating Budget Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations 42% 24% 8%0% 26% FY 2024 Operating Budget Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations 0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000 700,000 Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations FY 2023 and FY 2024 Comparison FY 2023 FY 2024 2 2. MAJOR CHANGES AND/OR VARIANCES IN OPERATIONS BUDGET During the current budget, the Liquor Control Department was able to regain the staff lost during the pandemic. Compared to previous year budgets when there were vacancies, the upcoming year budget would indicate an increase in salaries. As of this date, the Department is now functioning at full capacity with no open positions. We are pleased to report the positions of the Assistant Chief Investigator and the Private Secretary have both been filled by highly skilled candidates. The economy continues to rebound, and the Department continues to increase workload with a focus on providing exceptional customer service with the resources currently available. As the Liquor Control Department continues to evolve, our licensing procedures have transitioned to offer online processing of new and existing applications. With this extension of service offered to our licensees, we have begun to see an increase of online application locally and from the mainland. Average turnaround time for processing an application has reduced with the help of our temporary 89- day contract Liquor Licensing Clerk. This position has proven to beneficial to the Liquor Department as a whole and while serving as a single point of contact for all existing and new liquor license applicants. To continue providing the level of customer service, the Liquor Control Department is seeking approval of a new position number creating an opportunity for the position of Liquor Licensing Clerk to become a permanent part of the Liquor Control Department’s team. 3. OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES As the demand on the Liquor Control Department continues to increase, we are confronted with the challenge of identifying new tasks and responsibilities related to licensing and enforcement. During this past year, the Investigators were tasked with license processing in addition to their duties of inspecting locations for liquor violations and providing public education. This significant focus on clerical tasks ultimately disrupted the Investigators primary functions and removed them from the field. As a temporary solution, the Department sought out an 89-Day Contract position to create a Liquor Licensing Clerk position. This person was brought in and trained on all licensing procedures while becoming the sole point of contact for all customers seeking any license in person or online. With this temporary position in place, the processing time on applications was reduced and the communication with the Department has improved. As trends evolve, the liquor industry will only continue to grow, and the need to process applications from local applicants and from those on the mainland will increase. To alleviate this Departmental challenge, we have requested to add the full-time position of Liquor Licensing Clerk as a permanent position within the Liquor Control Department to fill the Regulatory Division. With the revenue being generated, we believe the addition of this position is sustainable without any significant impact to our licensees. 4. TOP 3 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM FY 2023 o The Department has made significant changes this year by following through with streamlining our licensing process while utilizing an online portal. Currently, all new applicants can begin their liquor licensing process online and pay applicable fees online. 3 o The Department has launched the online training program and exam focused on our licensees’ mangers by providing a convenient and consistent method to obtain their certification as required by Commission Rule. o The Department oversaw the sale and distribution of liquor sales in 2022 in excess of 156 million dollars. This was an increase of almost 77 million dollars island-wide in liquor sales. This was made possible by a diligent staff processing all necessary licensing special requests, permits, and licenses as required by Commission Rules and Hawaii Revised Statute.