Porterdale residents will likely get to vote this November on whether to allow Sunday alcohol retail sales in their city.

The city council approved the final reading of an ordinance Thursday night that will allow a public referendum to take place during this year's city elections, Councilman Lowell Chamber said Friday.

If passed, retail sales of beer, liquor and wine would be allowed between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The ordinance had to be passed at the called meeting so that the city would have enough time to get the issue on this year's city election ballots, Chambers said.

Covington is also expected to have the question of Sunday package sales on its ballot this year.

For years, restaurants in Covington, Porterdale, Social Circle and Newborn have been able to sell alcoholic beverages by-the-drink on Sundays, but package sales were banned until the state legislature passed a new law this year.

Neither Newborn nor Social Circle has taken action on the issue.

In addition, the council is considering allowing restaurants to begin serving alcohol at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, instead of having to wait until 1 p.m.

"(The 1 p.m. limit) is a problem for someone trying to serve lunch during the noon hour on Sunday. That's the motivation for change," Chambers said.

Finally, the council also approved the third reading of an increased millage rate, 19.892, up 2 mills from last year.

City Clerk Judy Johnson said previously that the increase would be a $41 tax hike on a property with an assessed value of $20,440, the average property value in Porterdale.