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City manager Kevin Harris
Package liquor stores could be coming to Cleveland in the near future if voters give the green light.
The city of Cleveland wants to hear from the community before making a decision to put the question of legalizing package liquor sales before the voters on the ballot this November.
On Monday, city administrator Kevin Harris announced the council will hold two public hearings before making a final decision on whether to call for a vote on the matter.
He said the move was prompted by a change in Georgia's liquor regulations in 2021.
“Senate Bill 143 allows cities and counties to call for liquor package sales,” Harris said. “Previously, you had to have 35 percent of the registered voters (sign a petition) if you wanted to do it that way. It also allowed the city council to put it directly on the ballot.”
Under the new law, the governing bodies of counties and municipalities can call for a special election to see if voters want to allow liquor stores. If a majority of voters are in favor of allowing package liquor, local governments are then lawfully authorized to issue licenses in accordance with local and state regulations.
If Cleveland decides to proceed, it would be much less costly to taxpayers to put the question on the November ballot, rather than hold a special referendum, Harris said.
“If the city wants maximum participation by the voters, midterm general elections are the highest elections in terms of turnout other than presidential elections.” he added. “You would have the highest participation. This would more accurately gauge the wishes of the residents of Cleveland.”
Harris said that if the question is to be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot, the Secretary of State's office would have to be notified by Aug. 10.
“This would allow the normal advance voting and Saturday voting to take place,” he said.
The public hearings have been set fro Monday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m. and Monday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building in Cleveland.
“Several communities in north Georgia who didn't have package sales have already taken advantage of this opportunity to change the law,” Harris said. “They are already seeing the revenue streams.”
The city council is expected to make a final decision on whether or not the question goes before the voters in November following this month's public hearings and prior to Aug. 10.
No action has been taken to date.
“This is simply an announcement that there will be two pubic hearings,” Harris said.
Beer and wine sales are already legal in Cleveland.