Woodstock Approves Referendum Calling For 'Brunch Bill' Vote

WOODSTOCK, GA — The city of Woodstock has approved a resolution calling for an election to allow voters to consider allowing restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages at 11 a.m. on Sundays. The City Council unanimously approved the resolution for a referendum at its March 26 meeting.

Senate Bill 17 passed the Georgia General Assembly and is awaiting Gov. Nathan Deal's signature. The city of Woodstock's resolution does not provide a date on when the election will occur since the timing of Deal's signature depends on whether the city's election will be held in either May or November.

If Gov. Deal signs the bill, the election would cost about $8,000, City Manager Jeff Moon said, noting the city's legally required advertisement will have to run with the designated date of the election.

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The wording on the ballot for the referendum, according to the bill, will read: "Shall the governing authority of (name of municipality or county) be authorized to permit and regulate Sunday sales of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverages for beverage purposes by the drink?"

According to the bill, the change in hours will only apply to establishments that have at least 50 percent of their annual gross sales from food or room rentals for overnight lodging. The legislation passed the Georgia House with 97 to 64 vote while it cleared the Senate with a 38 to 18 approval.

State senators representing Cherokee County — Brandon Beach of Alpharetta, Bruce Thompson of White and John Albers of Roswell — all voted in favor of the bill. State representatives Mandi Ballinger of Canton, Michael Caldwell of Woodstock and Scot Turner of Holly Springs voted in favor of the bill while Wes Cantrell of Woodstock and John Carson of Marietta cast votes against the measure.

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