Le Sueur bar owners dodged a knockout punch but had to settle for a series of right jabs.

The city’s initial plan to raise on-sale liquor license fees by $500 all at once has been altered to $100 increments during the next five years.

Bar owners say it’s still not what they wanted — no increase — but the adjustment will lessen the sting.

“Five-hundred dollars is not going to make or break me, but it is taking money out of my pocket,” said Jim Plonske, who owns a restaurant/bar and bowling center.

“The timing of this is kind of poor, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll be OK.”

City Administrator Rick Almich said the fee increase was due because it has stayed the same for the past 15 to 20 years. He said policing costs have increased over the years, and a fee hike was in order to help offset those expenses.

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