County to vote on Sunday alcohol sales

County officials are following Dothan’s lead in putting forth a public vote on Sunday alcohol sales in order to maintain the status quo.

“I expect it to pass. We’re not really doing anything different than we are now,” Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver said Thursday.

The action by the commission will assist Country Crossing, which is locating outside Dothan city limits on U.S. 231 South. Several restaurants and theatres at the site would sell alcohol, and presumably would want Sunday sales.

Originally, the county sought to clarify the Sunday alcohol law by having it only apply to cooperative districts which are 100 acres and larger. This would include the country music destination being developed by Ronnie Gilley.

However, because there are no residents within the district to vote on the measure, Culver said he then thought the cooperative district board would be the voting party.

Culver said he was advised by a legislator that the governor would veto any local bills on Sunday sales that do not include a vote of the people.

Commissioners are expected Monday to vote in favor of a bill to allow any restaurants in the county to have Sunday sales.

“Personally, I am not in favor of Sunday sales,” Culver said. “The sheriff has said this will not create any law enforcement issues. I do agree we need to treat everybody the same. I would not be in favor of expanding alcohol sales above and beyond what we already have.”

Late last year, the director of the Alabama Beverage Control Board reinterpreted existing laws, declaring that restaurants with alcohol sales cannot operate with dual licenses – that is, as restaurants six days a week and as clubs with membership requirements on Sundays.

This move by the county matches what the Dothan City Commission did last week, in approving a local bill to call for a July vote on Sunday sales.

Commissioner Bobby Snellgrove agrees that all eating establishments outside the cities and towns should be treated equally, regardless of size.

If no action is taken, restaurants will not be able to sell on Sundays beginning in October. The countywide vote on the alcohol issue will be held in June 2010, the next statewide election date, so there will be minimal election costs to the county. If there is a state special election prior to that date, the measure will be put on the ballot sooner.

A portion of the Country Crossing venues could open without Sunday alcohol sales, Culver said.