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Draper committee weighs tree fund, small monthly fee and donations
Summary
Committee members debated options to raise money for tree planting and maintenance, including voluntary donations, a $2–$5 monthly fee, and reallocating current city funds; members emphasized the need for public education before pursuing new fees.
Committee members debated how to fund new and ongoing tree work after survey results showed resident support but mixed willingness to pay. Michelle Coker (committee participant) suggested testing a low, recurring fee and asked whether a $2 per month option would better reflect actual willingness to pay: "An interesting follow-up question would be, would you be willing to pay a $2 a month true fee?" she asked during the discussion.
Members noted about 40% of respondents said they would not personally contribute but wanted the city to allocate more existing funds toward trees, underscoring a divide between public sentiment and willingness to be charged directly. The committee asked staff to explore donation mechanisms (QR code and online giving), to research opt-in mechanisms used by other agencies, and to prepare communication materials explaining what a small fee would buy (arborist support, watering and maintenance). They agreed that public education would be necessary before presenting a formal fee proposal to the city.
