Heard County commissioners discuss Sunday alcohol sales; attorney says change likely requires an election

Commissioner James Perry raised concerns March 23 that the county’s ordinance barring Sunday alcohol sales is costing Heard County sales and tax revenue because residents can shop outside the county on Sundays.

County Attorney Jerry Ann Conner told the board she believes any change to allow Sunday alcohol sales would require an election. The minutes record the discussion but show no motion to place a referendum on the ballot or to direct staff to begin a process; no dates, fiscal estimates or ordinance text changes were provided.

The board did not take formal action to alter the ordinance at the March 23 meeting. Any change to permit Sunday sales would require additional legal and procedural steps, including, according to the attorney’s statement in the minutes, an election.