It appears a policy that lets Thompson-Nicola Regional District directors bill taxpayers for booze will soon be rid of.

The board has voted unanimously to have staff start the process to get rid of the policy which allows directors to expense up to two drinks at board events.

Area P Director Mel Rothenburger proposed having staff take this step.

“Since we discussed it a year ago, almost a year ago when I first brought it up, I think we’ve discovered that this is a real lightning rod for the public in their discontent with the TNRD and the board,” Rothenburger said. “This seems to stand out as an irritant, and it’s an easy thing to get rid of. So I hope this will find substantial support.”

There were no limits for TNRD directors and staff to expense booze at events until January of 2020. That was when a policy that limited beer and wine as the only drinks that could be expensed was approved. Last July, it was changed to allow board members only to expense up to two drinks of beer or wine, with staff not allowed to expense any alcohol.

TNRD board members are now expected to vote at a future meeting, once a report is written by staff, whether to do away with the alcohol policy.