The Russell County Board of Supervisors voted on Nov. 3 to repeal the county’s ordinance prohibiting beer and wine sales on Sundays.

Several residents and business owners urged repeal during a public hearing, telling the board the restriction cost local merchants regular Sunday sales and shifted revenue to neighboring towns and counties that allow Sunday sales. Speakers included restaurateurs and convenience‑store owners who presented tax and profit estimates for individual businesses and argued the restriction disproportionately harms retailers outside the county seat.

Comments to the board emphasized economic consequences: a local small business owner presented figures showing several thousand dollars in forgone taxes and tens of thousands in lost lifetime profits for a single site. Supporters of repeal said the ordinance is outdated, unevenly enforced and placed local businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

Board discussion was brief. A motion to repeal was offered, seconded and passed. One supervisor recorded an abstention during the vote. The board did not attach additional conditions or a delayed effective date; the repeal was announced as effective immediately.

County staff will update county licensing guidance and coordinate with ABC licensing authorities as needed to reflect the change.

For clarity: this repeal applies to local restrictions on sale of beer and wine on Sundays; state licensing and ABC rules remain applicable to holders of alcohol licenses.