City council amends laws to allow liquor sales on Sundays

The Meridian City Council amended the city code Tuesday to allow sales of liquor by the drink on Sundays in order to accommodate revelers this New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday this year.

The amended alcohol ordinance, Title 1, Chaper 2, Section 1 of the city code, also provides for the sale of liquor by the drink on Memorial Day and Thanksgiving Day. It brings Meridian into line with a section of Ada County Code. Idaho State Code prevents liquor sales on those days, but allows cities and counties to amend their ordinances to include them.

The one exception is Christmas Day. Idaho Code prevents liquor from being sold from 2 a.m. Dec. 25 until 10 a.m. Dec. 26 statewide.

During discussion Meridian City Councilman Keith Bird said people should be able to purchase hard alcohol on Sundays, just as they can purchase beer and wine.

The last time New Year's Eve fell on a Sunday was 2000.