BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Plans are underway to have a wet/dry option on the November ballot for voters to decide the sale of alcoholic beverages in the City of Inez.

The Inez Commission invited Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles to Thursday’s meeting to advise them on getting the option on the ballot.

Skyles provided commissioners with copies of Kentucky Revised Statutes governing the issue.

According to Skyles, the city must first file an intent to circulate a petition, including a copy of the unsigned petition, with her office before presenting a petition for signatures.

“Your petition has to be signed by 25 percent of the number of voters who cast votes in the last general election,” Skyles said.

Based on the 484 votes cast in the Inez City elections in 2020, the petition would need 121 signatures, she said. However, Skyles is working with the State Board of Elections to confirm the exact number.

“We don’t have a precinct of just city voters,” the clerk explained. “The state person will go through all of the precincts and determine how many of those voters actually reside in the city.”

The city will not be out any money if the option is added to the November ballots.

“If it isn’t done in November, the city would have to put up a bond with the circuit clerk’s office to cover all costs of the election,” she explained.

Skyles also provided a sample petition.

“I got this from a clerk friend who said this is what the state wants the petition to look like,” she said.

The bottom line asks, “Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages in the City of Inez?”

Mayor Ed Daniels asked if the petition had to be turned in to the clerk.

“I have to okay it, and the county judge has to approve it,” said Skyles.

Commissioners discussed circulating the petition following the May primary election.