The Rome Alcohol Control Commission unanimously voted Tuesday to ask the city attorney to draft an ordinance to allow the levy of monetary fines for violations that occur at establishments with alcohol licenses.

If the ordinance is passed by the City Commission, fines up to the City Charter and Code’s maximum limit of $2,000 could be levied instead of, or in addition to, current penalties.

The ACC now has the authority to send warning letters and suspend or revoke licenses in response to violations, such as the serving of alcohol to minors.

“We think it would be beneficial for you all to have another tool, with that tool being a possible fine,” said City Clerk Joe Smith.

ACC members debated at length whether the proposed ordinance should allow first-time offenders to be able to pay their fine without appearing before the council.

“We do not want the public to think offenders can just make ‘drive-by payments,’” said committee member and City Commissioner Bill Collins.

Smith said that if the board allows some first-time offenders to pay without appearing before the ACC, a separate committee could decide if their case was severe enough to require a hearing.

A fine of at least $1,000 and a warning letter for first-time offenders was suggested by Smith. The City Commission will have the final say on the proposed change.

In other action, the ACC voted unanimously to approve public consumption of alcohol for three future downtown events: the first and last “First Friday Block Party” events of the year, May 3 and Sept. 6, and a 5K “Halloween Zombie Run” on Oct. 26.

The ACC also issued a new wine pouring license to Doll, a clothing boutique on Riverside Parkway, and a beer, wine and liquor pouring license to Mi Alazan No. 2 on Redmond Road.