The Tonganoxie City Council unanimously voted to put the fate of Sunday liquor sales in the hands of the city residents to finally put the matter to rest.

They didn’t have a choice.

During the council’s regular meeting Monday night, Mike Kelly, the city’s attorney, informed the council that current Kansas law requires the special election.

Kansas Statute 41-2911 states that, “upon submission of a valid petition calling for an election pursuant to this subsection, the city governing body shall call a special election to be held not later than 45 days after submission of the petition unless a citywide primary or general election is to be held within 90 days after submission of the petition”

On Aug. 17, the Leavenworth County Clerk’s Office found that a submitted petition challenging Tonganoxie’s liquor sales ordinance had the required 101 signatures needed to call the election.

Council member Jim Truesdell, who has spoken out against Sunday liquor sales, said that he did want the people to finally make the decision.

“I hate to spend the money… I don’t think we should and I never did, but it looks like we don’t have a choice anyway,” he said.

The election is scheduled for Sept. 22 and is estimated to cost $3,500.