Going to events in Buffalo could cost you more soon

If you live in the suburbs of Buffalo, going to enjoy games and concerts in the city of Buffalo could soon cost you a few extra bucks.

This is all part of Mayor Byron Brown's proposal to impose an additional fee on ticket sales to help offset costs of security and overtime for police.

"At the end of the day the opinion of the administration is that with all the increased activity in the City of Buffalo, you also have to pay for increased police presence," said Common Council President Darius Pridgen.

Pridgen says council does not want to make people pay more, but security at events is necessary with the booming interest in events in the city.

You would pay between 50 cents and $3.50 for the fee depending on the price of the original ticket.

The way the legislation is written now, everyone would have to pay the fee upfront when you buy the ticket. Then people who live in Buffalo would submit a refund request and show proof of residency.

Some who live in the city say that would be too complicated.

“I think that's a little too much overhead,” said Tom Mayor. He lives in Buffalo. “Everyone is at the event, and they should all share the burden of the security.”

And others that live outside of Buffalo feel that the tax should apply to everyone.

“I feel like since we all technically live in Buffalo - we're in the Buffalo area - that we all should pay the same price,” said Town of Tonawanda resident Akeira Massey.

The Common Council is in recess until September. In the meantime it plans to solicit public input on the structure of the fee.