Tonganoxie ? For Corky Krouse, who owns a liquor store on U.S. Highway 24-40 in eastern Tonganoxie, the Sunday sale of package liquor in area cities has meant money out of his pocket.

“I’m losing about $30,000 a year,” Krouse told Tonganoxie City Council members Monday. “That’s my job, so I’ve got to get something going.”

Krouse asked City Council members to again consider a charter ordinance that would allow Tonganoxie’s three liquor stores to sell alcohol on Sundays. Currently, only restaurants and private clubs can sell alcohol on Sunday — and only by the drink.

This is the second time Krouse has asked the city to approve such an ordinance.

Last year, the council passed a charter ordinance, but a valid protest petition was filed. The city was faced with dropping the matter or taking the issue to voters in a special election, which would have cost about $1,500.

So last November, the council opted to drop the issue.

But Krouse said the chances of a successful ordinance were better now.

“I think the waters are calm now,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll have a petition.”

Council members told Krouse that if they passed another charter ordinance they wanted an election to take place if a protest petition is filed. If one isn’t filed, liquor stores will be free to sell liquor on Sundays.

“I think if we take this on and adopt a charter ordinance … we have to hold an election,” said council member Velda Roberts. “That would not sit well with the people out there (if the council didn’t hold an election).”

Council member Ron Cranor said he would want to put a Sunday liquor sales question on the November general election ballot so that the cost to the city would not be much of a factor.

Council members are expected to officially act on the issue at a future meeting.