Some new fee proposals will be rolled out at Phoenix City Hall on Wednesday. City Manager Ed Zuercher said if approved, they could provide the city with additional revenues as it copes with a nearly $38 million budget deficit. The fees will be unveiled during the council’s meeting on Wednesday. He said one fee would charge consumers for each grocery bag they use in Phoenix.
“What will be posted is a nickel per plastic bag that is consistent with other jurisdictions that have done such a thing. But we need to hear, to have public input on the deal," Zuercher said. "We need to talk to the industry. We need to take a lot of input about that, and this is just the first step in the process to begin the dialog about that."
Zuercher said these are only recommendations, and the city plans to do a lot of research on each proposal before the council votes on the measures. He said the other proposals would raise fees for membership at city community centers and recreation centers, including baseball fields.
Another proposal would place a general tax on Phoenix residents’ utility bills. Zuercher estimates the fees would raise about $12 million to $15 million.