Oconee County Commissioners Pass Liquor Ordinance After Striking Requirement That Food Be Purchased With Drinks

As a result of action taken last night by the Oconee County Board of Commissioners, the county now has a new liquor ordinance that allows for the sale of beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks in county restaurants.

The commissioners removed the requirement that patrons must purchase food with their purchase of these drinks, but they retained the requirement from the existing beer and wine ordinance that the restaurant cannot report that more than 25 percent of its gross income comes from the sales of alcoholic drinks.

The commissioners also resisted the efforts of BOC Chairman Melvin Davis to expand the service area for alcoholic sales beyond what has been allowed for the sales of beer and wine in restaurants.

The commissioners also asked County Clerk Jane Greathouse to increase enforcement of the ordinance with more detailed reporting procedures and the use of independent audits if necessary.

In separate action, the commissioners voted to allow Samuel Border to subdivide his nearly 15 acres on SR 15 southeast of Watkinsville to allow for sale of what was built as a tenant dwelling separately from the main house on the property.

For details of this story and a map that Davis presented expanding the service area, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Commissioner Mark Saxon