The City Commission directed staff to place repeal of the city’s dog-friendly dining license on a future regular meeting agenda after a budget-session discussion about enforcement and revenue.

Commissioners said the program generates only minimal revenue and is effectively overseen by the state Department of Health, not the city. The city manager told the commission the program appears to yield about $1,000 in projected revenue and is enforced by the city’s code enforcement office but that restaurants also face Department of Health rules.

City Manager: The city manager summarized the program and delivery of supporting documents, saying staff provided an application and inspection-fee structure and that Miss Monroy would distribute supporting documents to commissioners to review. The manager said the program’s fees will be proposed as part of the fee schedule later this month and that continuing or ending the program is a decision for the commission.

Discussion: Commissioner Coy said the city “has kind of got away from the program long ago” and recommended letting the market and the Department of Health handle dog-friendly dining rather than the city. Commissioner Cooley agreed, calling it “one more thing for restaurants to have to do every year” if the city retains the requirement. The group discussed whether the city should enforce the rule or repeal it; commissioners acknowledged repeal would require placement on a regular meeting agenda and a formal vote.

What happens next: Staff will add the repeal item to a future regular meeting agenda so the commission can consider a formal repeal ordinance or fee-schedule change; no formal motion or vote occurred during this budget meeting.

Ending: Commissioners said code staff have other enforcement priorities and that, if repealed, restaurants would continue to be regulated by the Department of Health and market practices such as voluntary dog menus.