Press Release

Ballot Question – Liquor by the Drink

October 27, 2025

Introduction:

Under Kansas law, counties have three options with respect to the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink in public places: 1) Prohibit the sale; 2) Permit the sale only if establishments derive at least 30 % of gross receipts from food consumed on-premises (currently in place in Thomas County); or Permit the sale without any portion of their gross receipts needing to be from food sales (November 4, 2025 ballot question).

Counties in region that do not have food sales requirement:

According to the Kansas Department of Revenue the following counties in our region do not have a food sales requirement currently: Phillips, Graham, Rooks, Ellis, Logan, Greeley, Wichita, Scott, Lane, and Sherman.

Why the ballot question matters for economic development:

Modernizing local liquor-by-the-drink regulations, by removing the current food sales requirement, carries several economic advantages for counties and municipalities. Below are key benefit areas to consider:

A. Attraction of new business models:

When an establishment is required to generate ≥ 30 % of its revenue from food, it limits the type of business that can operate profitably. For example: dedicated cocktail bars, craft brew pubs, taprooms, live-music lounges, event spaces, sports bars, etc., may struggle under the food-sales threshold.

By removing the requirement, a broader spectrum of hospitality and entertainment businesses can locate or expand locally — thereby increasing business activity, job creation, and consumer spending.

B. Tax revenue and licensing income:

Broadening on-premises liquor sales increases the tax base. In Kansas:

On-premises establishments pay a “liquor drink tax” of 10 % on alcoholic-liquor sales.

Increased business activity means more licensed establishments, more taxable sales, greater local and state revenue (through licensing, taxes, indirect business growth). Even though the food-sales requirement is not itself a tax issue, removing it can lead to more establishments operating under the on-premises liquor license framework — which brings revenue.

C. Local employment and investment:

Hospitality and entertainment venues typically generate employment: bartenders, servers, kitchen staff (if applicable), event staff, cleaning/maintenance, security. They may also spur investment: building upgrades, renovation of older structures, outdoor patios, event staging, etc. These investments contribute to property tax base increases, local contractor work, and ripple-effects in the local economy.

Concerns on Ballot Question:

Concerns have been raised that the Thomas County Commission is fostering an environment of indecency by allowing the Citizen’s of Thomas County to weigh in on this issue on the November 4, 2025, election. Those concerns are not valid. The City of Colby, Kansas, specifically, has zoning ordinances in place with a special permitting process for any Sexually Oriented Business. Thomas County Economic Development has no knowledge of any Sexually Oriented Business opening in Thomas County nor does Thomas County Economic Development anticipate any Sexually Oriented Business opening in Thomas County, Kansas.

Further Thomas County has dedicated, hardworking, law enforcement officers that have a presence in our community to ensure public safety and enforcement.