Liquor By The Drink Passes In The Unincorporated County

  • Wednesday, November 6, 2024

A referendum to allow liquor by the drink in the unincorporated portion of Hamilton County was approved by a large margin.

The vote was:

For        48,188

Against 17,346

County Commissioner Lee Helton offered the resolution that set up the referendum.

He said restaurants out in the county currently have to go through a cumbersome state process to obtain a Premier Resort Permit.

Commissioner Helton said sales tax on liquor sales would bring a recurring stream of revenue to the county, including for the schools.

Commissioner Joe Graham agreed, saying it would allow county citizens "to enjoy a nice restaurant, and the taxes would be very beneficial."

He said, "It kind of brings us into the 20th Century."

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