Benton amends alcohol worker ordinance

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Businesses serving alcohol in Benton could soon be allowed to hire workers under 20 years of age.

The city Monday held the first reading of an ordinance removing some age restrictions. The action came after clarification that city ordinances were not in agreement with state statutes.

City Attorney Zachary Brien said case law caused the city to need to alter their ordinance.

“Our ordinance isn’t effective where [the state’s] speaks,” Brien said. “I’ve repealed the old language and added the new by the Kentucky State Legislature…. This is not one of those areas where the city is granted any discretion.”

Monday’s ordinance extends to breweries, wineries, restaurants and other businesses, allowing them to hire servers between 18 and 20 years of age.

Mayor Rita Dotson said the city had been contacted by local businesses confused by the discrepancy between local ordinances and state law which allowed for employees as young as 18 years of age to serve or sell alcohol.

“We can’t follow that ordinance any more because state law does say that they can start selling at 18 years old,” Dotson said.