MILTON — Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 Thursday to change the alcohol ordinance, which will equalize the hours of sale between Navarre and Navarre Beach.
Since 1991, when the ordinance was adopted, alcohol sales on Navarre Beach have been until 2:30 a.m., while ending at midnight on the mainland. On Sundays, alcohol sales start at 7 a.m. on the beach, but not until noon at the mainland.
The amendment will allow alcohol sales on the mainland and the beach from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. seven days a week.
At Thursday’s meeting in Milton, residents from the north and south end of the county, as well as pastors in the community, showed up to share their opinion on the matter.
Residents in favor of the ordinance amendment said it would level the playing field and could be a positive impact on the local economy. One business manager said he could create eight to 10 jobs from the additional revenue.
“At the end of the day, it’s an equitability issue,” said Tony Alexander, past president of the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Pastors expressed concerns the amendment would cause other parts of the county to want to change their alcohol policies. In the north end, the sale of alcohol on Sundays is not allowed.
Commissioner Bob Cole expressed his opposition to the amendment several times and asked Thursday for the public to vote on the issue.
“I can’t sit up here and say I support this by any means,” he said.
The amendment would change the policies from the Santa Rosa/Okaloosa county line to Gulf Breeze and all areas south of East River.
Pastor Larry Webb of First Apostolic Church in Milton said he was worried about the “innocent families driving on the highway at 2:30 a.m. met by a drunk driver in a head-on collision.”
“If I was sitting where you are, I would not want this on my conscience,” he told the board. “Just to appease a handful of people and businesses. … Why stop at 2:30 in the morning? Make it 24/7.”
Commissioner Rob Williamson, who brought the issue to board last month, said the amendment isn’t about finances or faith, but fairness.
“In my mind, this decision in no way is in conflict with my relationship (with God),” he said. “It’s about providing a level playing field.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Alcohol sales hours extended in Navarre