TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Tucson needs to recover the money it spends on paramedics, police and courts when people drink too much and get into trouble, a city councilman said.

Councilman Steve Leal said the city should look at imposing a tax on alcohol sales.

Leal has instructed the City Manager's Office to figure out how much the city spends on services such as police time, paramedics and court costs on people who were drinking alcohol.

"I think people think it's a good thing to try and figure out," Leal said.

Leal said he has thought about a liquor tax for a while and figured with recent budget cuts it was time to pursue it.

"I thought, my God, here we are shutting stuff down and hemorrhaging money and cutting stuff."

Some of Leal's fellow Tucson council members appear to favor the plan.

Councilwoman Regina Romero said she thought the idea is creative and the city should study it. "We are in a horrible budget deficit, and so it's a good idea to look at what our services cost," she said. "Especially when you are providing services to people who are getting in trouble."

Others like council members Rodney Glassman and Karin Uhlich were much cooler to the idea. Both doubted their constituents would support another tax or fee.

Uhlich said she wasn't even sure the city could tax alcohol. "Responsible alcohol sales and responsible use of alcohol are critical community issues," she said. "However, when the city is examining its own services, the key again is 'how can we provide services efficiently?' " Uhlich said she's sure Leal will do his homework and offer a "concrete proposal."

Glassman said had a number of questions including the costs and manpower needed to study the issue. As far as a "cost recovery," Glassman had reservations. "In the midst of our economic recession," he said he was wary of new taxes or fees.

Some Tucson bar owners and patrons are not enthusiastic over the proposed tax.

"I think it's way overboard," said Frank Silverman, owner of Midtown Bar. "We're already paying a lot on city sales tax and state sales tax, and the taxes on everything else. Our prices are going up. The beer companies are constantly raising prices. . . . Ultimately it falls on the consumer, and they are the ones that end up paying for the increase."

Over at Bob Dobb's Bar & Grill, patron Keith Collier, 51, said he drinks responsibly and wondered why he should have to pay for people who choose not to do the same.

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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com

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