The Fayette County Commission will get its first glance tomorrow at an ordinance

that will govern the sale of mixed-drinks in the county.

During the July primary, Fayette voters overwhelmingly decided to add mixed

drinks to the menu at restaurants in the unincorporated county. Nearly 65

percent of the voters opted to approve martinis with their meals.

Currently, the only three establishments in the county to benefit from the

vote are the Olde Mill Steakhouse, the Italian Oven, and the Palmer Course

at Starr's Mill.

County Commission executive assistant Carol Chandler said the 17-page ordinance

governing the sales of mixed drinks that will be discussed Thursday may not

be the last word on the issue.

"This is the first time the commission has seen this, so I'm sure

there will be some changes," she said.

The lengthy document contains the usual assemblage of legalese, but several

key points emerge.

- For an establishment to sell mixed drinks in the unincorporated county,

at least 60 percent of its annual revenue must come from food sales. Many

other local ordinances, including Coweta County's, place the percentage

at 50 percent. The receipts will be sent to the county's business license

department for review on an annual basis.

- No sales will be allowed on Christmas Day, but if New Year's

Eve falls on a Saturday, the establishment can continue sales until 1 a.m

on New Year's Day.

- Sales will not be allowed for any establishment within 300 feet of

a church, school, library or alcoholic treatment center.

- A one-stop license for selling mixed drinks, beer and wine will be

$1,250 a year. If the establishment wants to sell only beer and wine, the

fee is $750. This is in sharp contrast to Coweta County, which instituted

an annual license fee of $5,000 for mixed drinks sales in the unincorporated

county.

Discussion of the ordinance will occur during the commission's meeting

tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Stonewall Village complex.