BAYBORO, N.C. (WITN) – Seeing customers sitting at a restaurant and ordering a mixed drink will become more common in Pamlico County.

75.6% of Pamlico County residents voted in favor of the mixed drink referendum, while 71.5% voted against the local sales and use tax referendum following last week’s election.

Only a few cities like Arapahoe, Oriental and Grantsboro were able to serve mixed drinks at their own city referendum.

Now restaurants across Pamlico County will be able to do so after obtaining the proper license, which excites one Alliance restaurant owner.

“We are ready. Many customers come here and ask us if we have margaritas and alcohol. Hopefully, we will have it soon, if not this year, next year,” says Grisclda Vázquez, owner of the Sazón De Abuela restaurant.

Pamlico County Administrator Tim Buck says this will allow all businesses in the county to be on the same playing field and generate more revenue.

Meanwhile, in a referendum to increase the local sales and use tax, a majority of residents voted against it.

Buck says the local sales and use tax likely would have generated between $300,000 and $400,000 for visitors who don’t live in Pamlico County and would go to needed general funds, such as schools, agencies and departments, without the use of Ad Valorem taxes.

“Obviously, inflationary impacts and their (schools, agencies, departments) needs for additional funding are increasing. So we have to look and see how to continue to fund those things,” Buck says.

Buck says they don’t have any plans to raise taxes, but voters will likely see the same referendum in the next general election.

Additionally, Buck says Pamlico County is in the early stages of choosing who will oversee and allow the mixed drink referendum and plans to talk to the sheriff’s office first.

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