MURDOCK — Punta Gorda may have been the first to propose it, but Charlotte County could be the first to adopt an ordinance that will loosen restrictions on Sunday alcohol sales.

Charlotte County commissioners are scheduled to vote today on extending the hours of liquor sales on Sunday. If adopted, Charlotte County would only prohibit alcohol sales between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on any given day.

According to Punta Gorda City Council minutes, in August Robert Whitaker asked the council to lift the prohibition on selling alcoholic beverages before noon on Sunday. He said his reason for asking was that the Punta Gorda Isles Yacht Club would like to serve alcoholic drinks at its Sunday brunches.

Council members then asked City Attorney David Levin to draft a proposed ordinance, which council members approved unanimously at its first reading at their Sept. 15 meeting. At their next meeting on Oct. 6, City Council members will be asked to give their final approval.

Hearing about the proposed changes in Punta Gorda, various bar and restaurant owners e-mailed county commissioners asking them to also consider expanding the Sunday hours.

County Commission Chairman Bob Starr said some bar and restaurant owners, especially those closest to the U.S. 41 bridges over the Peace River, worried that if Punta Gorda establishments could open their bars earlier, they might lose clientele willing to cross the bridge.

“If you’re going to drink, what’s three hours?” Starr asked. He said that he saw no real harm in changing the hours and hasn’t heard any strong opposition to the proposed change.

“Let’s see what other comments we get,” he said.

E-mail: reilly@sun-herald.com