By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Proponents of Sunday liquor sales in Hays, which was voted down by residents several years ago, said a policy change would help increase the amount of sales taxes collected in Hays. Sales tax revenues have been on a downward trend and Hays uses that money to finance its general fund — the only city in Kansas to do so.
City Commissioner Lance Jones has asked City Attorney John Bird about the history of Sunday liquor sales in Kansas and how to make it happen in Hays.
“I think with sales tax declining and finding new ways to increase revenue, I think this is something we ought to look at,” Jones suggested during Thursday night’s city commission meeting.
Bird said he had done some research about the issue.
“Ellis County was one that did not opt to be a dry county way back when Kansas came out of Prohibition in the 1940s. In the 2000s, there was a movement to allow Sunday liquor sales. Up until then, counties that were wet still could not have retail sales of liquor on Sundays and on some holidays. Liquor stores were mandated to be closed.
“Following public interest, the city of Hays passed an ordinance to allow Sunday liquor sales. The ordinance allows for a petition to be filed if signed by 5 percent of the residents who voted in the last general election. It’s then put on the general ballot.
“A petition succeeded during the April 2004 election, and they overturned that ordinance.
“There is not a prohibition against doing it again. If a commission decided to pass that ordinance, there’s no legal reason you cannot do that. It would then be subject to petition again and, potentially, another election,” Bird explained.
Sunday liquor sales are allowed in incorporated areas of Ellis County, including Ellis and Victoria.
“I know we don’t lose a lot of revenue to Victoria or Ellis in Sunday liquor sales, but to me it’s kind of hypocritical that you can go into Gella’s in Hays and come out of there with a growler or keg of beer, but you can’t buy it at the liquor store,” Jones said.
He asked City Manager Toby Dougherty to put the issue on a future work session agenda for discussion.
The city of Great Bend just approved Sunday liquor sales in late October.
State law bans the sale of 3.2% alcoholic content beer on Sundays by grocery and convenience stores.