A public hearing is being held Saturday in Lebanon on whether Sunday beer sales should be allowed in Russell County.
To allow sales, the county’s board of supervisors would have to repeal a 1945 ordinance that banned beer sales from midnight Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday, according to County Administrator Lonzo Lester.
Lester said there have been a few requests from citizens and merchants that Sunday beer sales be allowed.
During the Sept. 7 meeting of the board of supervisors, county resident Jarrod Ring told the board the move would help the county and its businesses financially.
“Sundays comprise 52 days out of a 365-day year. … That is 14%, so for 14% of the year we are artificially hamstringing every restaurant, gas station, bar and grocery store in Russell County,” said Ring.
He also said the ordinance could hurt the county’s ability to bring in prospective businesses and residents and add to its tax base. Local stores are losing business to those in neighboring counties where there are no bans on Sunday beer sales, he added.
The public hearing will be informational. Lester said he does not expect the board to vote on a possible repeal of the ordinance on Saturday. He said the board could repeal it, leave it as it is or let voters decide in a referendum.
The board is meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the county’s government center at 137 Highland Drive in Lebanon.
