At the first regular council meeting of 2026, Mayor Corey Woods announced that the first reading of the proposed Drink Spiking Ordinance would be delayed to Jan. 22 in order to get the input of all of the community groups that would be affected.
Councilmember Randy Keating announced that the Drink Spiking subcommittee at the city council has been made aware that stakeholders could have unintended consequences. Hearing input from more community members would ensure that the ordinance is created in the best interests of all in Tempe.
“We wanted to make sure that not only are we addressing the public safety issue, but we’re doing so in a way that we’re being good partners to everyone in the community,” Keating said at the beginning of the meeting.
Previous discussion about the ordinance suggested that businesses could be required to post signage and educational information about drinking and what to do in an emergency situation. The committee has also discussed offering rebates or discounts on liquor license fees for businesses that offer drink covers in addition to educational signage. Another discussion suggested making this a requirement for all businesses that offer liquor.
At the city council candidate forum, several candidates said that while they understand the intention, it would do more harm to require businesses to buy drink covers as it would create more expenses for small businesses on Mill Avenue, a popular spot in the Phoenix metro for nightlife and home to dozens of small businesses.
“This is a prime example of a non-business owner trying to create a business solution in Tempe,” said council candidate Joe Forte, a small business owner in Tempe whose platform is largely focused on improving Mill Avenue and businesses in the city.
The drink spiking ordinance will now be voted on in February after the second hearing and public testimony.
Madeline Bates
Reporter | Tempe/East Phoenix
Meet Madeline
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.