Hearing on Sunday Sales Tonight

The will hear from the public tonight about whether residents want Sunday alcohol sales on a ballot.

A public hearing is on the agenda for the 6 p.m. regular commission meeting, 1130 Bluffs Pkwy.

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

The commissioners  with whether or not to put the issue on a ballot, with some  and others indicating that residents should decide the issue.

The county's Board of Education has  there will be a special election in November, and the Sunday alcohol sales issue could be added to that ballot. 

The public hearing is meant to air residents' opinions on having the issue on the ballot, not the concept of Sunday sales in general, said Commissioner Jim Hubbard.

But several other commissioners said they are resigned to the fact that a lot of what they hear will be talk about alcohol in general.

 in Cherokee County are moving toward holding a referendum in November on Sunday alcohol sales. 

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.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners will hear suggestions from county employees about ways to cut costs.

The 2012 budget will be extremely difficult to balance because many one-time revenue sources and reserves used to balance this year's budget won't be available for 2012, county officials have said.

For 2012, the total estimated shortfall is about $5 million.

Commissioner Larry Johnston has said that drastic cuts will have to be made, taxes will have to be raised, or both.