Mission Statement

The mission of Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) is to provide licensing, wholesale and retail sales of beverage alcohol products, enforcement, and effective education and training programs, while promoting moderation and responsible behavior in all phases of distribution and consumption. The department diligently promotes, enforces, and obeys all laws and regulations governing beverage alcohol while generating revenue for the benefit of Montgomery County's General Fund. The department strives to provide its customers with the added benefits inherent in the oversight provided by Montgomery County Government.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY26 Operating Budget for the Alcohol Beverage Services is $77,951,615, an increase of $3,346,962 or 4.49 percent from the FY25 Approved Budget of $74,604,653. Personnel Costs comprise 63.68 percent of the budget for 350 full-time position(s) and 117 part-time position(s), and a total of 433.30 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 36.32 percent of the FY26 budget.

In FY26, Alcohol Beverage Services will transfer $19.6 million to the General Fund and make $8.7 million in debt service payments on Liquor Control Revenue Bonds for a total contribution of $28.3 million.

The above projections and proposed expenditures form the basis for working capital decisions concerning the ABS Enterprise Fund. The following information is provided to facilitate County Council and public input for final County Executive decisions on the determination of adequate working capital within, and use of resources in, the Liquor Enterprise Fund and net proceeds to be deposited to the General Fund. Consistent with Article 2B, Section 15-207, the County Executive must make resource allocation decisions for the Fund.

In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires Current Revenue funding.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• A Growing Economy
• A Greener County
• Safe Neighborhoods
• Effective, Sustainable Government

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY25 estimates reflect funding based on the FY25 approved budget. The FY26 and FY27 figures are performance targets based on the FY26 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY27.

Initiatives

• Open three new store locations, with updated and enhanced shopping environments, while proceeding with scheduled renovations to existing properties, in conjunction with landlord funded tenant improvement dollars.
• Extend the newly implemented keg and specials picking process to the customer pickup window to minimize paper usage and enhance operational efficiency.
• Upgrade the current conveyor system to enhance operational efficiencies, including increased productivity and reduced product breakage. This upgrade will also contribute to lowering employee injuries and minimizing overtime, creating a safer and more efficient work environment.
• Develop a lifting technique training program aimed at reducing workplace injuries as part of the employee wellness initiative. This program will equip employees with proper lifting practices, promoting safety and long-term well-being in the workplace.
• Enhance warehouse safety by mandating that all visitors and non-warehouse personnel wear safety vests. Additionally, increasing the number of safety lights on forklifts will contribute to reducing incidents, accidents, and near misses.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Introduced a new podcast series, Spirited Discussions: A Podcast by Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services, to help residents and businesses understand alcohol products, trends, and policies in Montgomery County.
• Optimized the keg and specials picking process by transitioning from paper-based methods to iPads. This shift has significantly reduced the time required for picking kegs and special items, while enhancing order fulfillment accuracy.
• Implemented pre-shift stretching routines to reduce workplace injuries, promoting a safer and healthier environment for the workforce.

Program Descriptions

  Warehouse Operations

This program involves management of the County's beverage alcohol warehouse and includes the purchase, receipt, and storage of different stock and special order items....

  Delivery Operations

This program includes the distribution of distilled spirits, wine, and beer to licensed establishments and County retail stores....

  Retail Sales Operations

This program oversees sales of distilled spirits, wine, and beer to retail customers and licensees through the operation of retail stores that are located throughout Montgomery County....

  Administration

The Administration Program provides comprehensive leadership for the department including strategic planning, policy development and implementation, accountability, maintenance of partnerships with non-governmental service providers, and human resource management. This program also provides all accounting, financial, procurement, and information technology services for the department. Finance and accounting staff perform special analyses,...

  Licensure, Regulation and Education

This program includes issuance of beverage alcohol licenses; inspecting and investigating licensed facilities to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations; and serving as support staff and providing expert testimony at hearings for issuance, fining, suspension, or revocation of licenses. This program also encompasses community partnerships by defining...