Flagstaff proposes fees to recover EV charging costs: 39¢/kWh plus per‑minute idling fees; ordinance read for first time

City staff presented a proposal to charge the public for use of 18 city‑hosted electric vehicle chargers and recommended a two‑part fee structure designed to recover energy and operating costs while encouraging turnover.

Under the staff proposal, the hourly energy charge would equal the city’s cost of electricity plus a 10‑percent administrative margin; staff currently estimate that rate at about 39¢ per kilowatt‑hour. A second, per‑minute “idling” fee would apply after a vehicle reaches full charge (or, at the airport, after the posted three‑hour limit) to encourage drivers to move their vehicles. Proposed idling fees are 7¢ per minute at City Hall, the Visitor Center and future downtown locations (about $4.20 per hour), and 4¢ per minute at the Aquaplex (about $2.40 per hour). Airport idling fees would kick in after the three‑hour limit and carry a maximum cap of $100 per session.

Why it matters: The city currently pays about $60,000 a year to operate free public chargers and pays the charging company for billing and operations. Staff estimated the city would spend up to $68,000 next fiscal year if charging remains free and projected revenue under the proposed fees between $47,000 and $85,000 depending on how much idling behavior declines.

Denae Pressler of the Sustainability Office explained the rationale and timing: “Last year, the city council advised implementing a fee for public use of charging stations to recover these costs while also encouraging vehicles to be moved once they’re fully charged,” she said. Staff recommended implementing the fees July 1, 2025, and including station‑screen displays, app notices and signage as part of the rollout.

Council members asked operational questions. Council member Spence requested a market comparison; Pressler said fast Tesla chargers are more expensive and that the city’s proposed level‑2 pricing is in line with other public and institutional hosts locally. Council member House asked how the station detects a full charge and switches to the idling rate; staff said the charging management software (ChargePoint dashboard) will automatically apply the idling price after energy delivery ceases.

Public hearing and action: Staff opened the public hearing and reported no public comments. Council voted to read Ordinance 2025‑10 by title only for the first reading. The ordinance, if adopted after the required readings, would amend city code to add the new fees and set an effective date.

Next steps: Staff will monitor usage and revenues after the fee begins and said it could adjust rates if needed. Communications will include in‑station display changes, app notifications, email and social media outreach to users.