Flagstaff council adopts ParkFlag fee package to boost downtown cleaning, restrooms and safety — raises expected to generate $700K+ annually

At its Oct. 21 meeting, the Flagstaff City Council adopted two resolutions and an ordinance to revise ParkFlag parking rates and mobilize funding for expanded downtown services, approving a package city staff said will direct more than $700,000 annually to enhanced cleaning, maintenance and programming in the downtown district.

Rick Tatter, Management Services Director, told the council staff reworked the ParkFlag funding plan after additional internal review and expects combined sources — ParkFlag fees, bed‑tax reallocations and general fund contributions — to deliver “over $700,000 toward enhanced services in our downtown on an annual basis.”

Why it matters: Council and downtown businesses framed the change as a response to rising costs and requests from the Downtown Business Alliance for more frequent trash removal, graffiti abatement, snow and cinder cleanup, restroom maintenance and event support. The ordinance adopted by the council updates city code to establish ParkFlag fees and parking rules for the ParkFlag district.

What the plan covers

Staff described the enhancements as a combination of recurring services and one‑time items. Tatter said the package preserves credit‑card upgrades and kiosk replacements and funds expanded service levels while delaying or removing some software enhancements and certain lot‑maintenance items to keep the ParkFlag fund structurally balanced over a seven‑year forecast.

“We were able to find some things that we reallocated and reduced, within the plan to shift funds toward enhanced services,” Tatter said during the presentation.

Council questions and public concerns

Council members asked about equity and accessibility. Council member Garcia specifically asked about ADA parking spaces that had previously been $1 and whether those would rise; staff said they would continue examining local fee reductions and return to council quickly with options.

Garcia also asked whether the enhancements would reach commercial areas south of the BNSF railroad tracks. Tatter said the enhancements will apply to commercial zones within the ParkFlag district “and this was part of the arrangement… it will in fact go down San Francisco down Beaver, to Butler and then along Phoenix and up Mike's Pike,” covering commercial blocks both north and south of the tracks.

Vice Mayor Sweet stressed outreach and review: “The hour rate has not changed since 02/2017,” he said, noting eight years of inflation and asking staff to continue public communication and to report back on results.

Council action

The council adopted Resolution 2025‑54 and Resolution 2025‑55 and then adopted Ordinance 2025‑21, which amends Flagstaff City Code to establish the ParkFlag fee structure and updates Title 9 (traffic) provisions related to the Comprehensive Parking Management Program. The measures passed on council motions and votes at the Oct. 21 meeting.

Contracting and oversight

Tatter said staff will return with procurement documents for the vendor who will deliver the enhanced services. Council members requested clear contract reporting and an explicit schedule for periodic updates to ensure deliverables — such as graffiti removal, restroom maintenance and snow/cinder clearance — are being met.

Ending

Council approved the ParkFlag fee package as part of a multi‑fund approach to increase downtown maintenance and activation. Staff said the changes aim to maintain the downtown’s cleanliness and safety while funding more frequent services; the city will present a contract and reporting schedule to the council for oversight.