Jill Schramm/MDN Jeff Senger, owner and general manager of M&S Concessions, meets with the Ward County Commission Tuesday, Dec. 30, regarding his company’s alcohol license. Commissioners shown are Jim Rostad, left, and Ron Merritt, right.

Concerns about alcohol sales on the North Dakota State fairgrounds aren’t completely addressed to the satisfaction of the Ward County Commission, but commissioners have agreed to two points of sale in the State Fair Center that will enable M&S Concessions to do business in January.

The commission held a special meeting Tuesday, Dec. 30, to take care of year-end business, including approving several liquor license renewals for 2026.

Last August, Ward County commissioners agreed to draft additional rules for county alcohol licenses after a complaint filed by the Ward County Sheriff’s Department against M&S Concessions resulted in a 10-day license suspension for underage sales.

The commission had indicated concern over M&S Concessions’ licensed premises, which included the North Dakota State Fair Center, All Seasons Arena, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Grandstand/Carousel for consumption on and off premises. The commission previously denied M&S Concessions’ license application for lack of clarity.

“In your application, the premises lists the entire fairgrounds,” Commissioner Jason Olson told M&S Concessions owner and general manager Jeff Senger on Tuesday. “That doesn’t work for me. I want premises defined in a building. If you want to do anything outside of that space, then you do it through a permit. … I’m not approving the entire fairgrounds as a premises.”

Maps submitted by the company listed a point of sale in the Flickertail building and in an outside picnic area, four areas in the Grandstand, five outdoor areas around the fairgrounds that are near commercial buildings and the Grandstand and seven areas inside the State Fair Center.

Senger explained the intent was to distinguish any areas where sales are possible, and as events as scheduled, more detailed maps would be submitted. The company would apply separately for alcohol permits for special events at which minors could be present, such as wedding receptions or even outside sales stands at the State Fair, and identify specific sites, he said.

Because M&S Concessions’ existing license expires Jan. 1, commissioners took action to keep the company operating until the commission can meet again in January to discuss the company’s revisions to address county concerns. The commission approved licensing the TJ Murphys and Spicy Pie Express sites in the State Fair Center, which would accommodate January activities and events.