County looks at Sunday liquor sales

On Monday, March 14, Boundary County Commissioners will vote on whether to open the state liquor store on Sundays or keep it closed.

The subject was discussed in a joint meeting Thursday with commissioners and representatives from the cities of Bonners Ferry and Moyie Springs.

Commissioner Walt Kirby said keeping the store open on Sunday would contribute to the tax revenue base according to numbers from the Idaho Distillers Association.

IDA is a private company that sells alcohol to state liquor stores.

Commissioner Ron Smith said some of the money the county receives from  liquor sales goes to the North Idaho College tuition program.  When the county doesn’t receive enough money it sometimes has to levy a tax to get enough money to support the program.

Commissioner Dan Dinning read minutes from the Idaho State Liquor Division site that indicated  if sales are higher it doesn’t mean tax revenue will be higher. 

Based on numbers in the report the county did more sales in the last fiscal year and received less tax revenue from the state.

Dinning and Bonners Ferry city councilman Chris Clark also expressed moral concerns.  Clark said he didn’t think it was necessary to have the liquor store open Sunday.

Dinning said for families with alcoholism issues Sunday may be the only day they have any kind of normalcy.

“I appreciate the moral issues and respect the opinions, but no one can tell me that of we increase  liquor sales that we wont get more money,” Smith said.

Mayor Anderson said the Bonners Ferry store was one of 10 tagged for efficiency and thought this may have prompted the Sunday sales suggestion from the IDA.

He said if a store is proved not efficient (sales too low), it can be closed and the private sector can move in,  which could add a whole new set of problems.

Kirby said the manager and employees of the liquor store want the store to be open on Sunday.   The manager told Kirby sales would increase dramatically particularly from Canadian traffic.

 Kirby said Sunday hours would most likely be from noon to 5 p.m. He also said the manager told him the store could possibly bring in an additional $2,500 to $3,500 a day in Sunday sales.

According to Smith, Boundary County Clerk Glenda Poston raised a valid point in terms of religious views and told him  some religions worship on Saturdays and if religion is a factor should the store be closed Saturday. She also told him people who don’t want to buy liquor on Sunday wont.

“This Sunday at 2 p.m. if I wanted I could go to any bar in the county and order a drink, mixed drink or go to a convenience or grocery store and buy how ever much beer and wine he could pack out of there,” Smith said.

Smith’s point was that the purchase of alcohol is available anyway and people will get it if they want it on Sunday.

“I am not going to push my morals on someone,” said Smith. “I truly believe we will receive more revenue, if we are open on Sunday it is an individual’s choice if they choose to participate.”