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 the Montgomery County Government.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY24 Operating Budget for the Alcohol Beverage Services is $70,805,841, an increase of $2,539,973 or 3.72 percent from the FY23 Approved Budget of $68,265,868. Personnel Costs comprise 61.15 percent of the budget for 341 full-time position(s) and 130 part-time position(s), and a total of 428.70 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 38.85 percent of the FY24 budget.

In FY24, Alcohol Beverage Services will transfer $33.6 million to the General Fund and make $8.65 million in debt service payments on Liquor Control Revenue Bonds for a total contribution of $42.3 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 FY23 estimates reflect funding based on the FY23 approved budget. The FY24 and FY25 figures are performance targets based on the FY24 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY25.

Initiatives

• ABS will update all store point of sale register systems to remove technology barriers and enable ABS to expand its potential by adding services such as curbside pickup, buy online and pick up in store, and queue line checkout.
• ABS will participate in and support the Maryland Local Program, targeted towards helping small Maryland distilleries, wineries, and breweries build distribution and sales and partnering with them to ensure long term success.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Expanded business education through virtual trainings.

• Initiated business outreach to assist with restaurant recovery.
• ABS partnered with multiple brands to introduce and support minority- and female-owned products.
• As supply chain disruptions and product shortages plagued the alcohol industry, ABS introduced a "similar products" feature on iStore to help licensed retailers find suitable alternatives, which resulted in many customers discovering new favorites.
• ABS trained license holders and their employees in the safe sale and service of alcohol through its Alcohol Law Education Regulatory Training program.
• ABS helped local businesses get a foothold in the market through its 26 retail stores. By dramatically increasing the locally produced beer, wine, and spirits in its inventory, ABS helped small businesses thrive during a difficult time.
• Residents and license holders gained equitable and transparent access to highly allocated products (HAL) through the Department's updated HAL program.

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...

  Marketing

This program leads the marketing efforts for the department, including design and branding, advertising, internal and external communications, events, and promotions....