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An attempt to collect more than 4,400 signatures to call an alcohol poll in Erath County was deemed a success by a local group of business owners.
A petition with the signatures was filed with the County Clerk in June, and the Erath County Commissioners Court ordered an election for the proposal on November 2, 2021.
Texas Petition Strategies said the proposal to be presented to voters would create a set of rules across the county to support alcohol sales in facilities in the area. A group of local business owners and community leaders are also helping expand current sales to fine wines and package stores.
The group is proposing a change in regulations to remove private club club requirements for restaurants, officials at Texas Petition Strategies said.
To sell alcohol, restaurants currently have to operate as private clubs, which can get expensive, according to the Texas Restaurant Association.
“It can cost $ 3,000 to $ 20,000 a year to be a private club, according to the Texas Restaurant Association,” said Court Cole, owner of Bull Nettle Bar & Grill.
State law required the group to collect 4,409 signatures from Erath County voters by June 4. The group submitted nearly 7,000 signatures, 4,802 of which were verified by the Erath County Clerk’s office. Only Erath County residents were eligible to sign the petition.
“We appreciate the response from the community,” added Cole. “This is a clear sign that our customers and the community want a level playing field for all businesses here in Erath County.”
Based on a 2008 study by Texas economist Ray Perryman, Erath County could see significant increases in sales, jobs and local tax revenues.
“Based on our population, studies show that we could generate up to $ 10 million in additional sales, nearly 100 new jobs and an additional $ 200,000 in local sales tax revenue annually,” said Brady Pendleton, a local lawyer and member of Stephenville Councilor: “Changing this law could be of great benefit to our community.”
The US Census Bureau estimates the population of Erath County at 42,698. Based on the calculations of a 25,000-resident unit, the county currently receives up to $ 22.4 million in annual revenue and more than $ 522,000 in local tax revenue for being “partially wet.”
However, changing the county’s dry liquor (liquor sales) status and repealing private club rules for on-site facilities could mean an almost 40% increase in alcohol-related tax revenues, officials said.
Texas Petition Strategies of Austin was hired to run the petition and campaign. TPS has carried out more than 450 local nominations in more than 250 Texas parishes.
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