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Tracy to modernize bingo licensing rules; council introduces code changes
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance to update chapter 4.24 of the Tracy Municipal Code to align local bingo licensing with state law, shift administrative authority to the city manager, extend license terms to one year, increase permitted administrative expenses and prize limits, and require biannual financial reporting from nonprofits.
The council introduced changes to chapter 4.24 of the Tracy Municipal Code to modernize licensing and regulation for nonprofit bingo operations.
Lieutenant Dan Garcia of the Tracy Police Department said the ordinance has not been comprehensively updated since 1977 and several local provisions are outdated or more restrictive than state law. The proposed amendments would shift administrative authority from the chief of police to the city manager or designee, lengthen license terms from six months to one year, increase administrative expense limits (from 10% or $500 monthly to 20% or $3,000 monthly, adjusted for inflation) and raise the maximum game price from $250 to $500. The package also would add new rules for card milling devices and require nonprofits to submit biannual financial reports including gross revenues, expenses and tax returns.
Council took a vote to find the ordinance exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act for the purposes cited in staff materials and to waive the first reading by substitution of title. The motion passed by roll call with all members present voting yes. Staff said the ordinance is intended to bring the city's code into alignment with California Penal Code section referenced in the staff report and to improve administrative transparency and enforcement.
The ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption at a later meeting.
