Kay County looks at Sunday liquor sales

The Kay County Board of Commissioners recently heard a request to place a proposition on the ballot to allow county voters to decide if restaurants should be permitted to sell alcohol on Sundays.

Bill Coleman, who was then chairman of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, stated that $12 million in taxable sales are spent each year at Ponca City restaurants.

He noted neighboring counties, including Noble and Osage counties, are allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays, putting Kay County at a disadvantage.

Coleman said both Ponca City and Blackwell chambers voted unanimously for this economic issue and would like to put this topic on the primary election ballot and let the people vote.

District Attorney Brian Hermanson said that in 1985, it was voted 9,600 to 5,700 to allow liquor by the drink, but did not allow liquor to be served in restaurants on Sunday.

He asked the Board of County Commissioners if they would want to have public hearings to discuss the issue further, because there are strong feelings about this matter on both sides. Hermanson added 18 Oklahoma counties do not allow the serving of drinks in restaurants on Sunday.

Commissioner Paul Skidmore said he felt it should be put on the ballots to “tell the tale”.

After discussion about the best date to place the issue on the ballot, commissioners took no action at the Jan. 25 meeting. At its Feb. 1 meeting, the board approved putting the issue on the June 28 primary election ballot.