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Commission advances ordinance requiring restaurants to disclose mandatory gratuities on menus and signage
Summary
Commissioners voted to advance a first-reading ordinance requiring restaurants to disclose mandatory gratuity policies and meet minimum signage standards to inform customers.
The City of Sweetwater advanced on first reading an ordinance that would require restaurants to disclose mandatory gratuity policies and meet minimum signage standards.
Commissioner Jose Marti introduced the item as an informational consumer-protection measure so that customers are aware when gratuity is automatically added (for example, 18% service charges on parties). The mayor and commissioners emphasized the ordinance’s narrow purpose: disclosure in menus or at entry so diners are not surprised by automatic gratuities.
No members of the public spoke at the hearing. The ordinance passed first reading on a roll-call vote; details of required signage standards and enforcement were not expanded on at the meeting and would be available for the second reading. The mayor reiterated the measure is intended to inform consumers and not to penalize restaurants that properly disclose their policies.
