Buda voters will decide in November whether alcoholic drinks can be sold in the city until 2 a.m.

In a 5-1 vote, Buda City Council approved a resolution calling for a referendum on whether last call should be extended from midnight Mon.-Sat. and 1 a.m. on Sunday to 2 a.m. everyday. Council Member Eileen Altmiller voted against the resolution.

“I think the timing is right for it,” Mayor Todd Ruge said of the referendum, which will be held in conjunction with City Council elections. “I’m an advocate of letting the voter decide.”

The city has received a request from Mavericks Dance Hall, which owns a dance hall in Pflugerville, to extend the hours that alcohol can be sold to 2 a.m.

Mavericks is working with Cabela’s in Buda to acquire land near the retail store on which it would construct a dance hall.

“These types of venues need to be open until 2 a.m.,” owner Jeff Van Delden wrote to the city June 28. “Through our research, similar venues have not been capable of surviving without operating with later hours.”

The city expects a later last call could help capture more sales tax revenue. But at least two residents have spoken out against the possible 2 a.m. last call during council meetings.

“It’s a tricky balance for us because whenever we do surveys there are two things that are usually at the top: 'We want to keep our small-town feel, and we want more entertainment options,'” Ruge said.

Kyle City Council passed an ordinance last year to allow drink sales until 2 a.m. everyday.

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission rules allow mixed beverages in cities with 800,000 or more inhabitants to be sold until 2 a.m. on any day. However, because Buda comprises less than 10,000 residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, it would have to pass an ordinance extending hours beyond the regular hours of mixed beverage sales: 7 a.m.-midnight on any day and midnight-1 a.m. on Sunday.

If voters approve later hours for alcoholic drink sales, mixed beverage permit holders in Buda like bars may apply for a supplemental permit that allows them to sell mixed beverages until 2 a.m., TABC Public Information Officer Chris Porter said.

Porter said once the business receives certification from the city to operate during those hours, it issues the TABC supplemental permit within seven business days.

The election will be held Nov. 3. City Council places 3 and 4—held by Jose Montoya and George Haehn, respectively—will also be on the ballot.