County commissioners on Monday voted two to one to allow the Bonners Ferry State Liquor Store to open on Sunday, a move expected to raise an extra $3,000 in liquor sales per week and bring in added revenue for the county.

Before the vote was taken, commission chair Ron Smith said commissioners and the city councils of both Bonners Ferry and Moyie Springs had looked at the issue for several weeks, and while he understands and appreciates the moral issues, he was in favor of the proposal simply on the basis of the added revenue it would generate.

"I know are are objections for moral reasons and I respect that," Smith said. "But currently, you can go to any bar in Boundary County on Sunday and drink liquor. You can go to the grocery store on Sunday and by liquor and wine. You can't go to the liquor store on Sunday to buy liquor to take home, and because of that, we're missing out on some of the funding that could be generated."

Last year, the counyty received $89,000 in liquor taxes, all of which benefits Boundary County students who attend North Idaho College.

"Every citizen in Boundary County is entitled to a $3,000 lifetime benefit to attend NIC," Smith said, "and that is for both high school seniors advancing their education and for adults. We continue to hear from Boise that funds are going to be cut. I don't care how much it is, but every little bit helps."

Smith also said the county and the cities receive a portion of the sales taxes generated at the State Liquor Store.

In addition, he said, the move will generate extra hours at the store, resulting in either additional hours for existing store personnel or the addition of an extra employee, something he said also benefits the county.

Commissioner Dan Dinning said he opposed Sunday sales of liquor on moral grounds, but said that there are 30 Idaho counties where Sunday sales are allowed, and that those counties haven't seen much of an increase in revenue.

The resolution allowing Sunday liquor sales now goes to the Idaho State Division of Liquor in Boise, but according to director Jeff Anderson, it's going to take awhile before the resolution can be implemented.

"As you can imagine, we run on a pretty strict budget, and before we can increase hours for employees, we have to have legislative funding," he said. "At the very earliest, we might be able to get funding when our new fiscal year begins July 1."

It is anticipated that, once implemented, the Bonners Ferry Liquor Store will be open for five hours on Sunday, likely noon to 5 p.m.