The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board today approved an increase of 5 percentage points in the markup on liquor, a move that will add about a dollar to the price of a $30 bottle.

The three-member board approved the increase on a voice vote with no dissent. It takes effect Nov. 1.

The increase is expected to generate about $8.2 million during the next budget year. That money is earmarked for state district attorneys and the state court system, which have seen their General Fund appropriations reduced in recent years. The earmark applies for one year only.

Barry Matson, executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, told the board before today's vote that the funding from the increase was critical for basic operations.

"This is a matter of being able to perform our constitutional duties," Matson said.

District attorneys will get $6 million from the increase, while the Unified Judicial System will receive $2.2 million.

But the money is not earmarked after next year. Matson said district attorneys need a long-term commitment.

"We have to have permanent, solid funding," Matson said.

District Attorney Tom Anderson of the 12th Circuit, which includes Coffee and Pike counties, said the number of employees in his office has dropped from 26 to 19 because of budget cuts. That includes the elimination of five full-time positions. Anderson has been DA for six years.

"It's unfortunate this circumstance exists," Anderson said. "But these monies, this markup, it's a lifeline for us to be able to serve victims, as you heard Mr. Matson say, to be able to perform our constitutional functions. To be able to serve the people in the circuits that we live in."

The ABC Board offer a chance for members of the public to speak before today's vote. Besides Matson, the only other speaker was Brandon Owens, executive director of the Alabama Beverage Licensees Association.

Owens said the association includes more than 100 businesses, including bars, package stores and restaurants.

"Any kind of increase is bad for our business," Owens said in an interview after the meeting. "It's going to make it hard for our guys to survive."

Owens said businesses near the state lines could lose customers to competitors in neighboring states. "Some states already advertise their prices are cheaper than Alabama," he said.

Updated at 11:39 a.m. to add comment from DA Tom Anderson. Updated at 2:06 p.m. to add comment from Brandon Owens.

