(KAIR)--A long discussed proposal to change Atchison County’s liquor-by-the-drink requirements will come before voters in November.

That comes with the unanimous approval Tuesday by the Atchison County Commission of a resolution placing the issue on the general election ballot. If approved by voters, it would mean businesses could sell liquor-by-the-drink without having to also sell food.

The motion was made by 2nd District Commissioner Eric Noll. “I’m really neither for or against it,” Noll said. I would not make a motion to do away with it without going to the ballot, but when we have the choice that the public can vote on it, I’m for that, so I’ll make the motion.”

3rd District Commissioner Bill Pohl voiced similar feelings to those of Noll. “I’ll second,” Pohl said. Eric’s comment is exactly where I’m at. I don’t want to be one of three votes that makes this decision. I think if we let the public vote on it, if it passes that’s what they wanted, if it fails, that’s what they did not want.”

The push to see the matter decided comes from the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, with Chamber Executive Director Jim Rowland appearing before the Commission during the online meeting.

Rowland told MSC News the issue, in discussion for sometime, gained momentum this year, saying the Chamber believes the change would mean new economic development opportunities, with a request received to possibly open a microbrewery in the Atchison area.

Currently, a business can only sell liquor-by-the-drink if 30-percent of its total sales comes from food.

Rowland said the Chamber began collecting signatures to place the issue on the ballot, but was stymied by the virus pandemic. It was then decided to bring the issue directly to the County Commission for their approval to place it on the ballot.
The Jackson County Commission recently approved a similar resolution, also placing the matter up for a vote during the November 3 general election.

According to the Kansas Department of Revenue, 35 of the state's 105 counties do not require a business to sell food in order to sell liquor-by-the-drink.