Alexandria City Council hears bad/good news about liquor stores

At first glance, the numbers look bleak:

Sales at Alexandria’s two city-owned liquor stores fell from just over $5 million in 2010 to $4.6 million last year – a 9 percent drop.

But other factors brighten the outlook:

The city spent 10 percent less on beer, liquor and wine than it did the previous year – $3.61 million compared to $4 million.

It also cut operating expenses from $750,431 to $745,137.

The end result was a net operating income of $251,203, a decrease of only 5 percent from 2010, which, according to the firm that conducted the audit, CliftonLarsonAllen, is a “great reflection on cost control.”

Read Wednesday's Echo Press story for more about the audit and other topics that popped up at Monday's Alexandria City Council meeting.

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