Saluda sends letters for mixed beverage election 

SALUDA—Saluda voters could decide this November whether or not to allow mixed alcoholic beverages to be sold within the city.  

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met Monday and heard from city manager Jonathan Cannon.  

“I have sent those letters that (the city attorney) prepared for Henderson and Polk counties,” Cannon said. “I’m waiting for their response that they are going to proceed.”  

Saluda decided last month to seek a referendum for restaurants to sell mixed alcoholic beverages.  

The decision came after Cannon explained that there is a state statute that allows some restaurants to sell spirits without the city’s approval.  

Saluda has received some permits from some establishments to use the state statue as long as they meet certain criteria.  

The criteria through the state includes that the building has to be on the register of historic places or located within a state historic district; be located within 1.5 miles of the intersection of a designated North Carolina scenic byway; is located within 15 miles of a national scenic highway and is located in a county in which the on-premises sale of malt beverages or unfortified wine is authorized in two or more cities in the county.  

In 2005, Saluda voters approved a referendum to sell beer and wine, but there is no provision through the city to sell spirits.  

If the establishments go through the state statute, Saluda does not get tax revenue from the sell of mixed beverages. Polk County will get that revenue. If the city approves a referendum, Saluda will get the tax revenue from any establishment that sells mixed beverages.  

To be able to hold a referendum, Saluda also had to meet certain criteria. The criteria Saluda qualified for in order to hold a referendum on mixed beverages was that the city had to have at least 500 registered voters. Cannon said he called the board of elections, and Saluda currently has 509 registered voters as of last month. The state lists Saluda as having a total of 745 residents.  

If the board of election on both Henderson and Polk counties approve having the question on this year’s ballot, it will be included on the municipal election in November.  

The ballot question will ask voters to select either “for” or “against” to permit the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theatres and convention centers.  

If the referendum passes, all establishments who qualify will be allowed to served mixed alcoholic beverages if they so choose and acquire the necessary permits.