Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyA review of the City of Phoenix checkbooks by the ABC15 Investigators shows thousands of dollars spent at high-end resorts, restaurants, and even flowers.
Over the last three years, members of the Phoenix City Council have spent more than $152,000 on food and catering.
Council members have spent thousands at Tom's Tavern, the Downtown Deli, and Paradise Bakery.
"We all get a paycheck," Phoenix resident Justin Evans said. "We all have to pay for our own food. Why can't they?"
Phoenix Vice Mayor Tom Simplot holds his monthly district meetings at the Hometown Buffet at 15th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, but he charges $5 per person for food.
"You know, my folks here ... are paying their own way," Simplot said.
Meanwhile, Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely hosts her monthly district meetings at Roy's at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, where she has spent more than $24,000 in total.
"It's convenient for our residents," Neely said. "It's in the center of the district."
There's fresh fruit, gourmet coffee, and a buffet, even complimentary valet service for her constituents.
When asked if she thought this was appropriate, Neely, before taking off her microphone and walking away, responded, "Thank you ... I answered your question."
Last February, when the city was already facing a $90 million deficit, the council dropped $2,100 on food and entertainment at the Bougainvillea Golf Course near Baseline and 59th Avenue for Councilman Michael Nowakowski's inauguration party.
An additional $4,100 was spent on shirts, pens, and magnets as promotional items for Nowakowski.
"There's no reason for the taxpayers to be paying for anything like that," resident Gabriel Mendoza said.
Nowakowski declined an on-camera interview, but in an e-mail said, "Each Council Office is given a budget to purchase items as needed for their District. District 7 purchased several, practical items with our office number and other important phone numbers that residents often call such as Crime Stop and Graffiti Busters. They were purchased in bulk and are expected to last the duration of my term."
The mayor and council also spent more than $7,000 on coffee even though there's a Starbucks downstairs in the City Hall atrium, and more than $9,000 went to maintaining all the plants and floral arrangements for their offices.
Additionally, the ABC15 Investigators found the city council is actually giving away taxpayer money to charities of their choice.
This includes the National Rifle Association, which has received $2,800 from the City of Phoenix for fundraisers with dinners and auctions.
"I don't think our tax dollars should be going to them," Evans said.
The ABC15 Investigators also found that Mayor Phil Gordon's personal membership to the State Bar of Arizona is paid for by the taxpayers.
The mayor declined our repeated requests for an on-camera interview and refused to answer questions at a recent Phoenix City Council meeting.
"It's a slap in the face," said Phoenix resident Cameron Henderson.
According to the city, all the money that was spent came from the mayor and council's discretionary funds, but it's their discretion that taxpayers are questioning.
It is not illegal to spend taxpayer money on food, flowers and resorts, but we want to hear what you have to say. Post your comments below and the ABC15 Investigators will take them to the city.
PHOENIX MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL TOP 5 FOOD & BEVERAGE EXPENDITURES
(calculated from City of Phoenix Account Payable Line Item Reports, 7/1/06-1/20/09)
1. Roy's Desert Ridge - $24,925.82
2. Jillian's of Phoenix, Inc. - $14,491.28
3. Catalina Restaurant Group - $10,658.91
4. Aventura Catering - $10,241.68
5. Creations in Cuisine - $10,176.57
