By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
The city of Madison could net as much as $20,000 more per year in sales tax revenues if Sunday alcohol sales are approved.
Madison is also another step closer to getting the extra funds after getting word from members of the Madison County House delegation who have agreed to allow Madison and others cities in the county to authorize Sunday alcohol sales.
In neighboring Huntsville, where Sunday alcohol sales were approved by its city council earlier this month, city officials there say Huntsville could bring in an additional $300,000 a year in tax revenues. City leaders here in Madison say they don't want to lose potential sales tax revenue to Huntsville and are now pursuing efforts to address the issue to the state legislature.
Madison Revenue Department Director Cameron Grounds said there are 19 convenient stores, six grocery stores and five other retail-oriented businesses selling alcohol in the city limits.
"It would definitely be a gain for Madison if Sunday alcohol sales are approved," Grounds said. "We could even see a little more in sales tax revenues as well – like gasoline, etc."
The next step in Madison's efforts to legalize Sunday alcohol sales will include a public hearing that will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 during the city council meeting to get comments from the community on the issue. Madison City Attorney Anne-Marie Lacy said the result of that meeting could be passage of a resolution in support of Sunday alcohol sales.
If the city council supports a resolution, it will then have to go to the Alabama legislature before going into effect.
Lacy suggested a local act that resembles the 1983 act that gave city leaders in Huntsville the authority to regulate Sunday alcohol sales.