Fr Co BOC Approves Second Reading of County Alcohol Amendment

Franklin County Commissioners have adopted the amendment to the alcohol ordinance to allow the sales of alcohol in the County after a second reading.

The Board passed the alcohol amendment by a vote of 3-1 with Commissioner Robert Franklin voting against.

Last April, the results of a county survey regarding alcohol sales in unincorporated Franklin County showed 80.6% in favor of countywide alcohol sales, 17.9% were against, and 1.5% had no opinion.

A traditionally dry county, County Commissioners had been looking at allowing alcohol sales after County Manager Derrick Turner pointed out it would be a way to attract more businesses, such as restaurants, to the County especially at the exits along the I-85 corridor.

Last fall, Commissioners voted to put the referendum on the ballot in November and all four resolutions passed, which included Sunday Sales by the Drink, Sunday Package Sales, Package Sales of Distilled Spirits, and Sale of Distilled Spirits by the Drink.

During discussions Monday, Commissioner Kyle Foster said he’s for the amendment as a way to bring more revenue into the county and to help take the tax burden off citizens.

Commissioner Ryan Swails said the Commission should listen to the voice of the people.

“I feel like people showed up and made their voices heard in that election,” he said. “It’s not an easy conversation. It’s not something that some people are comfortable with the thought of and I understand why. I know a lot of people have suffered in their lives with alcohol but it is a legal substance in America and in the State of Georgia. I tend to side with people making decisions for themselves when they’re legal decisions.”

Commissioner Franklin has been consistently opposed to the amendment and said he had no comment Monday.  And Commissioner Eddie Wester said it was a hard decision for him to make.

“That was the toughest vote I ever had to make mind up on,” Wester said. “I feel like it’s a double-edged sword. Yes, you have to have alcohol sales to bring in restaurants along the exits in the County and to bring them into the County and I do understand that and do agree with that. Unfortunately, I understand the other side of alcohol and what it can do to families. I’ve had first-hand knowledge and witness of it and it was very hard for me to vote on it but I will say this though, the people have voted on it and I will not go against the people’s wishes.”

Commission Chair Jason Macomson said he also understood both sides of the alcohol sales amendment but said ultimately voters had spoken in November by passing all four resolutions by a wide margin.