By KEN CARPENTER
Great Bend Post
The Barton County Commission voted unanimously on Monday to expand the hours that retail liquor stores can sell alcoholic beverages in the non-incorporated areas of the County.
Until this spring, alcoholic liquor could not be sold before noon on Sundays anywhere in Kansas. That changed when the State Legislature passed a measure last month to allow counties to adopt a resolution expanding Sunday hours for liquor sales.
County Counselor Patrick Hoffman outlined the resolution for the Commissioners. In addition to expanded Sunday hours, Hoffman added three national holidays in which liquor sales are currently banned.
"Retail liquor stores in unincorporated Barton County, if they wanted, could be open as early as 9 a.m. on Sunday and also be open on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day,” Hoffman said.
The resolution also allows liquor stores to remain open until 11 pm on any day when liquor sales are permitted. The measure is subject to a 60-day waiting period during which a petition for an election can be filed.
This county resolution does not affect retailers located within the city limits of incorporated municipalities like Great Bend. A change in city laws would have to be approved by city councils within the county.