On a four-to-three vote Thursday night, Brookhaven aldermen adopted a Mississippi statute for comprehensive liquor sales in the city, a move that city attorney Joe Fernald said could be an economic boon.

Voting for the comprehensive law were Ward Six Alderman David Phillips, Ward Four Alderman Shirley Estes, Ward One Alderman Randy Belcher and Ward Two Alderman Terry Bates; voting against the comprehensive law were Alderman at Large Karen Sullivan, Ward Five Alderman Fletcher Grice and Ward 3 Alderman Mary Wilson.

Thursday night’s action followed a June 4 referendum on the sale of liquor in Brookhaven. The liquor referendum passed with a 69 percent majority vote by the citizens.

The aldermen’s vote was divided over the choice between the two types of ordinances that can be drafted to govern liquor sales.

“There are two types of liquor laws in Mississippi that a city can adopt,” Fernald explained. “One that limits liquor sales with by-the-glass transaction limits in restaurants, or one that’s ‘everything,’ – that includes liquor stores, clubs, bars and restaurants – the comprehensive law.

“Our aldermen chose the comprehensive law.”

The mayor’s opening statements set the direction of Thursday’s meeting giving board members a sense of urgency to finalize an ordinance.

“You have a copy of the election results in each ward,” Mayor Joe Cox said. “We all have our opinions and wishes for how this referendum should be handled. However, as our city’s leaders, it is our duty and obligation to take the results of this election and find the best solution for Brookhaven.”

Fernald said the next step now will be writing the city ordinance and presenting it to the board for approval.

“The ordinance will cover times and days that restaurants or liquor stores can sell liquor – we have the right to set hours and decide if liquor will be sold on Sundays,” Fernald said. He plans to present a draft ordinance at the September aldermen’s meeting.

Alcohol Beverage Control agents from the Mississippi Department of Revenue John Goza and Hunter Huff were present Thursday night to clarify, answer questions and guide local officials through the two types of liquor ordinances that could be adopted.

Fernald said there was a healthy debate among supporters and opponents Thursday night.

“They got to the heart of what the people want …. The liquor store issue was the dividing factor, but the revenue for liquor stores is a big kicker,” he said, explaining that potential tax income for the city from these sales will be beneficial.

The issue was not taken lightly, Mayor Cox said.

“Everyone came to the table prepared,” he said. “This was one of the most studied issues the board has ever worked on.”

Fernald said Goza and Huff will be the enforcing agents for Brookhaven.

“We received expert help from the ABC agents,” Fernald said. “They’re the ones that will tell us what we can do and they’re the ones that will go into these places if there are problems.”

Fernald said ABC has made it clear they are going to enforce the laws of Mississippi the way they are supposed to be enforced.

“I believe that this will be a positive thing for the city,” Fernald said.

“We expect an economic effect that is positive for Brookhaven,” he continued. “We do not expect to be passed over anymore by restaurants wishing to build in our city now that this law is in place.”