Kingfisher County commissioners discussed wording for a possible county ballot on Sunday and holiday liquor by the drink sales with restaurateurs and other retailers at their weekly meeting Tuesday.

No action was taken after the discussion.

A state question liberalizing liquor laws by, among other things, allowing the sale of high-point beer, had the unintended consequence of ending Sunday and holiday beer sales in Kingfisher County and a handful of others who still had limited bans on liquor-by-the drink on the books.

Because state law defi nes low-point beer as nonalcoholic, local bars and restaurants could still serve up Sunday and holiday brews without running afoul of the county ban.

But shortly after the Oct. 1, 2018, state question went into effect, beer companies phased out their sales of low-point beer in Oklahoma, distributing only the high-point versions, which fall under the county ban.

Gary Wilson, golf professional and manager of the Kingfisher Golf Course, told commissioners that sales at the golf pro shop dropped by $7,000 in the fi rst fi ve months after the Oct. 1, 2018, law went into effect.

Golf courses and marinas were hit with a double whammy by the new law, which caused high-point beer sales to fall under dual license holder restrictions against sales for bot on- and off-premises consumption.

Last April, the Legislature enacted Senate Bill 728, which corrected that problem for marinas and golf courses but did not impact county option Sunday and holiday bans for on-premises consumption.

To lift the ban, a county-wide vote on two separate measures, one allowing Sunday sales of liquor by the drink and the other allowing sales on all holidays except Christmas, would be required.

Brent Snider, owner of The Shed Restaurant in Kingfisher, said the prohibition on Sunday sales was not only detrimental to the restaurant but also to the city and county due to the loss of sales tax revenue.

He said the prohibition also affects staffing for the restaurant, thereby reducing employment opportunities.

Commissioners provided proofing copies of two proposed ballot measures for study by the retailers present.

Commissioners propose putting the questions to the voters on March 3, the presidential primary election.

The county has a Dec. 8 deadline to call for a county vote on the questions in order to place them on the March ballot.

Official action on the measure will be taken at a later meeting.

Commissioners also opened two bids during the meeting, accepting the bid of Railroad Yard of Stillwater to supply 37-inch and 41-inch by 5/16-inch thick steel pipe to the county for road work and tabling a decision on a bidding for a motor component for a Loyal Fire Department vehicle until a district attorney’s opinion can be received on a question regarding two bids submitted.

Railroad Yard submitted the low bid on both sizes of pipe – $45 per foot for the 37-inch pipe and $55 per foot for the 41-inch pipe.

Sunbelt Equipment and Supply submitted bids on the item as follows: 37-inch pipe, $56.90 per foot and 41-inch pipe, $69.90 per foot.

Two companies submitted bids on the Loyal Fire Department equipment. Jim’s Welding of Hennessey submitted a bid of $16,918.18 for a short block engine replacement in a Stewart Stevenson M1083A1 truck and Independent Diesel of Enid submitted a bid of $17,689.19 for a long block replacement, which included the short block. The additional engine head in the Independent Diesel bid was submitted because it said that was necessary for a successful repair.

District 3 Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny moved to table action for a DA’s opinion on the legality of accepting the Independent Diesel bid since it exceeded the solicitation for bids. District 2 Commissioner Ray Alan Shimanek seconded the motion and District 1 Commissioner Jeff Moss joined the motion in favor of tabling action.

In other action, Commissioners approved a change order for a bridge rehabilitation in District 1 with Redland Contracting, extending the date, approved a temporary easement to complete an extension project on Bridge No. 26 located on NS2940 Road, approved monthly reports from several county offi ces and monthly apportionments for the month of October, approved transferring a 2005 pickup truck previously used by the county engineer’s office to the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfi sher, renewed an annual agreement with OSU for cooperative extension services to the county and approved soliciting bids for a used 2016 or newer diesel motor grader for District 1.

Commissioners approved pipeline road crossing permits for the following:

• Great Salt Plains – two eight-inch gas lines, the fi rst beginning four miles north and one mile east of Loyal in District 3 and extending into District 2, and a second four miles north and two miles east of Loyal, District 3.

• OG&E crossing two miles east and two miles south of Omega, District 3