“This is not a council matter," says Natinsky. "But certainly a matter that I hope the citizens of Dallas will be allowed to vote on."

Natinsky, who is the Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, believes a successful local alcohol option election will not only generate revenue for the city but also create significant opportunity for economic development.

“From a sales tax revenue standpoint, estimates gauge $15 to $20 million would be generated if the local alcohol option election is successful,” says Natinsky.

“However, what can’t be measured is the positive impact changing the alcohol options would have on economic development for many areas around the city.”

Since the enactment of House Bill 1199, over 600 petitions for local option elections have been circulated across the state of Texas, and nearly 400 of those have moved forward to the ballot.

Of the 400 that have been voted on, about 80% have passed.

Sissy Day, with Texas Petition Strategies, speaks to similar elections and the method behind gathering the thousands of needed signatures.

“One of the most recent alcohol option elections took place Lubbock County,” explains Day.

“We needed 19,000 signatures and were able to collect 25,000 in just nine days.”

“On Election Day, 34% of all registered voters showed up at the polls and the local alcohol option election was a success,” she says.

“To date, the Lubbock County option election represents the largest of its kind. Clearly, Dallas will be much bigger but we don’t anticipate any issues with gathering the required signatures.”

Assuming Progress Dallas finds the feasibility study favorable, and gives TPS the green light to proceed, Day says the petition campaign will begin in late March or early April.

By law, the group will have 60 days to gather the required 68,000 signatures necessary to get this historic election on the November 2010 ballot.

If all goes as planned, local alcohol sales may be on the horizon for our community.

Rest assured LH Today will continue to monitor the story, so stay tuned Lake Highlands.