The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Some servers at Columbia’s bars and restaurants could soon need some new training.

Members of Columbia’s Substance Abuse Advisory Commission want to adopt a city ordinance that would force anyone serving alcohol to get a server certificate from the Columbia Health and Human Services Department.

The process would be very similar to the way people get a Columbia food handler’s permit.

Supporters of the responsible beverage server training plan say it would reduce alcohol related accidents, help prevent underage drinking and lower the amount of DWI related crashes.

Human Services Manager Steve Hollis said, “The ordinance allows for a variety of server training options.  The one that is mentioned specifically is Missouri’s SMART Program because it was developed by the University of Missouri.  It’s on line and it’s free.  We do have the issue of cost in mind.”

Hollis expects the city council to vote on the new server training requirements before the end of the year.

Thirty states already require responsible beverage server training.