City Manager (name not specified) told the City Commission at a budget meeting that staff will place repeal of the city's dog-friendly dining code on a future regular meeting agenda after commissioners indicated they prefer to leave oversight to the Florida Department of Health and the market.

The dog-friendly dining program currently requires restaurants to apply and undergo an inspection enforced by the city's code enforcement officers; the fee schedule and inspection fee were to be set later this month. City staff estimated projected revenue from the program at about $1,000.

The discussion matters because it affects local restaurants and who enforces animal-friendly dining rules. "I think it's a great program, but they're already out there doing it," said Commissioner Coy, arguing the Department of Health provides the primary controls restaurants must follow. Commissioner Cooley agreed, saying the program is "1 more thing for restaurants to have to do every year."

City Manager said the code language and fee schedule will be revisited and, pending a formal agenda item at a regular meeting, the commission could vote to repeal the program. No formal motion or vote occurred during the budget session.

Commission discussion noted enforcement resources and prioritization for code staff as considerations. "Our code folks, number one, have much more important things to worry about," a commissioner said during the exchange.

If the commission votes to repeal, city staff indicated enforcement and monitoring would revert primarily to the Department of Health or be left to market choices by restaurants. A formal agenda item will be scheduled for a future regular meeting for any repeal action.