Sunday Alcohol Sales Come Up Again

Sunday alcohol sales is on the agenda for tonight's  meeting...again.

The board discussed it at its last meeting in April, but made no decision. It's up for discussion again, with a little more legitimacy.

The governor has signed legislation that would allow counties and cities to vote on Sunday alcohol sales. 

Not all the commissioners were excited last month, however, about the prospect of putting the issue up for a vote this year. It's an off-election year for the county.

"I'm in no hurry on this," said Commissioner Harry Johnston."Personally I wish it would just go away. Politically its a lose lose situation."

But later Johnston said, "I've found no good way to tell people why we wouldn't let them vote on it. As much as I hate it, it looks like that's the direction we're headed in."

No other commissioners said how they felt.

Chairman Buzz Ahrens said the county's  has indicated there will be a special election in November for voters to decide whether or not to extend the schools' SPLOST, or Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

The Sunday alcohol sales issue could be added to that ballot.

If approved by voters, the measure would allow alcohol sales in liquor stores, grocery stores and convenience stores. Restaurants are already able to sell alcohol by the drink on Sundays in many places.

Georgia is one of only three states that ban packaged alcohol sales, including beer, wine and hard liquor, on Sunday. See the full agenda which is attached to this article.

The board has a work session at 3 p.m. and the regular meeting at 6 p.m.