Just when we despair that council watchdogs sometimes bark just to hear themselves, they occasionally sniff out a matter that deserves public attention.

Last month, Leroy Schmidt questioned Suffolk City Council about the informal policy of using city funds to pay for alcohol consumed at events like past retreats or holiday parties. Around Christmastime 2001, the city reportedly spent about $265 on a holiday wing ding for council and staff. If anyone should have been paying for the booze, it should have been the people attending the parties, not the entire city, which wasn’t invited.

During the Wednesday meeting, Councilwoman Linda T. Johnson testified that the liquor has flowed in the past for some city functions. As an example, she cited the retreat to New Bern, N.C. two years ago.

So, thanks to Schmidt, Johnson and Sam Callis, who chimed in with his unique insight, the city is seriously looking at a policy that will require cash bars or sponsorships for future events where alcohol might be permitted.