KOLD News 13 live, local and late breaking-Some fee increases hit harder than others

Some fee increases hit harder than others

By J.D. Wallace - bio | email

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) – From the opportunity to look into the eye of the tiger to a chance to watch an elephant swing its trunk, the Reid Park Zoo offers wild animals in the middle of town.

"It's a fun place to take the kids, they like it," said Steven Edwards as he held his two year old nephew Nathaniel outside the zoo Monday.

The city is increasing admission a dollar.  General goes from six to seven.

"It's cheap.  It's always been cheap," Edwards said.

"If we're going to enjoy things in Tucson, we're going to have to pay a little bit more so we can keep the nice things we have," said Carrie Clark as she held her three year old son Connor outside the zoo.

Those things include raising the roof on ramada rentals from $14 to $45 on the holidays, to two weeks of swimming lessons for kids making an eight dollar splash going from $2 to $10.  Parks and Recreation is trying to bring in more money close any drain on the city budget.

"People want to enjoy these commodities then it's worth it," Edwards said.

"With prices going up to 300 a child, I don't think I'll be able to use them," said Diana Guerrero as she picked up her daughters from KIDCO.

KIDCO was $100 a school year for in-town parents.  The fee will be $300 next year.  Diana Guerrero has three daughters.  Two would be in KIDCO next year but she said that it will cost too much.

"I like arts and crafts because I get creative," her eleven year old daughter Veronica said.

"You have to find something else, you have to look for something cheaper," Diana Guerrero said.

That might mean she will have Karina, who is the oldest, watch Veronica and Alma.

"Usually the little one listens to me, but that one, just give her pencil and paper and she's good," Karina said.

"I just hope they find something else, I hope they can find somewhere else they can cut money or figure out something to help, help us keep our children safe," Diana Guerrero said.

While some of these increases could be a beast of a problem, others are just the price of admission.

"I still come to the zoo twice a month," Edwards laughed.

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