Voters will consider a ballot measure on Nov. 5 that would allow restaurants in Gun Barrel City to sell alcoholic beverages to the public without requiring private club memberships. The City Council approved the ballot measure after receiving a petition from Texas Petition Strategies, Inc., that contained sufficient signatures to seek the election. Brinker International Restaurants, owner of Chili's, sponsored the petition drive. The petition contained 466 signatures. The ballot measure applies only to restaurants, and it would not affect taverns. Bars that derive most of their income from the sale of alcoholic beverages would continue to be required to maintain private club records of members. Private club records of members are required to be updated yearly, according to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission regulations. In sponsoring the petition drive, Chili's management said the maintenance of the private club records is costly. If the measure passes, Gun Barrel City will become the first community on the lake to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants without private club memberships. The last time voters considered an issue involving the sale of alcoholic beverages, they approved a measure in November of 2011 for restaurants to be able to serve alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Supporters of the measure said it was critical to economic development to be able to attract more restaurants to the area. Interest by Applebee's in opening a restaurants in Gun Barrel City drove the support, but the restaurant has yet to open.