“ Our alignment with the Department of
Revenue will give us access to additional resources and expertise , allowing us to be bigger and better than we ever were before .”
– STEPHEN LARSON , DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR , ALCOHOL & TAX OPERATIONS , IOWA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
mand for different brands ,” says Steve Larson , Administrator of the ABD . “ As our distribution grows , our capacity lessens . We need to look at different pathways and make sure we aren ’ t limited by capacity in the future . We also need to consider the impact our warehouse capacity will have on customers and retailers over time .”
One way the ABD has addressed warehouse capacity limitations is by outsourcing the warehousing and distribution of spirits , a change that began in 2019 . This process now includes 1,700 distribution points across the state and resulted in significant service improvements .
Along with warehouse capacity , the agency is also looking at future needs related to safety , risk management and the environment . In addition to the results of the study , any decisions the ABD makes will also be informed by the additional data the agency can collect due to the ongoing systems integration process .
Mary Mosiman , Director , Iowa Department of Revenue is helping direct the realignment .
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Ultimately , the ABD is in the middle of a period of significant transformation and opportunity . As the division continues to integrate more strongly with the Department of Revenue , additional opportunities for streamlining and improvements are expected to come to light .
“ As a result of this alignment , we now have access to more resources to help improve how we govern state alcohol laws ,” Larson says . “ We have made a number of significant advances in recent years that we will continue building upon , and in the future , we are well-positioned to have an even stronger footprint as it relates to compliance , tax validation , trade practices and enforcement . Our alignment with the Department of Revenue will give us access to additional resources and expertise , allowing us to be bigger and better than we ever were before .”
In the coming months , the ABD plans to focus on compliance-related improvements , and develop a comprehensive educational outreach plan for brokers and suppliers . The division will also begin creating a new strategic plan that will identify additional ways of being more proactive in the future , rather than primarily reactive . The new strategic plan is expected to be finalized in spring of 2024 .
Additionally , the department ’ s legal team will conduct a comprehensive review of the state ’ s current alcohol laws , beginning next year , which will likely result in additional opportunities for enhancement . This multiyear process will include the assessment of current laws , identifying opportunities to refresh and modernize rules and regulations , and make some statutory changes . It is estimated that this process will take between three to five years , and will require statutory approval to finalize any recommendations .
Despite so much recent change , it has all been for the better , and the ABD is well positioned to make strong advances in the months and years ahead . • www . stateways . com Winter 2023 • StateWays 11