Stephen Handy serves as the Chair of the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission, according to the commission's meeting agenda for April 17, 2026. As the presiding officer for this state agency, Handy is responsible for calling meetings to order, a duty noted in the commission's agenda for both April 17, 2026, and May 28, 2026.
During a special commission meeting held on April 17, 2026, Handy led discussions regarding Type 2 and Type 3 package agency applications. The agenda for that meeting included applications for the Panguitch market area, specifically for Boots & Booze Liquor and AKO Spirits. These applications were part of a broader review that also included market area applicants from Richfield and Payson. The meeting, which was held in Salt Lake City, was conducted with the option for commission members to participate virtually.
In a subsequent commission meeting held on May 28, 2026, Handy again performed his duties as chair. This meeting was held at the Garfield County Courthouse located at 55 S Main St in Panguitch. The agenda for this session included several administrative and regulatory items. These included updates on Parents Empowered, financial updates from Todd Darrington, and operations updates from Ericka Evans and Jeremy Sommerlath. Handy also oversaw the proceedings during the discussion of administrative rules, such as R82-4-101 regarding electronic proof of age verification and R82-2-308 regarding Type 2 and 3 package agencies.
The commission's work under Handy's chairmanship also involved reviewing violations referred by the State Bureau of Investigation. On May 28, 2026, the commission reviewed a consent calendar containing various letters of admonishment and settlement agreements. These items were presented as a block for a single vote unless a commissioner requested individual discussion. The agenda also included a reminder from Craig Warr regarding the May 2026 license renewal period, which ran from May 1 to May 31, 2026.
Residents of Panguitch encounter the work of the commission through these public meetings, which are often held in the town. For example, the commission meeting on May 28, 2026, was structured as a hybrid meeting, allowing for both in-person and virtual attendance. The commission provides public access to its proceedings via audio, with specific meeting IDs and passcodes provided in the official notices to facilitate participation from the community. The commission's scheduled meetings for the remainder of the summer in 2026 included sessions on June 25, 2026, and July 30, 2026.
What this means for Panguitch
For residents of Panguitch, the work of Stephen Handy and the commission involves the regulation of local liquor licenses. Because the commission holds hybrid meetings at the Garfield County Courthouse, local business owners and citizens can participate in the oversight of alcohol service rules and applications within their own community.
