On July 20, the Town Council of Centerville passed a ban on single-use carry-out plastic bags 4-0 with the 5th Member recusing himself. Ordinance 2023-2 calls for a ban on plastic bags and a 10-cent charge for paper bags. Similar ordinances have been passed throughout the state. There was overwhelming support for the bag ban at two hearings the Council held on this topic. The Council did make changes to the original draft because of some opposition. Restaurants were given an exemption from the requirement to charge for paper bags. Experience in other venues has shown that the 10-cent charge for paper bags is instrumental in incentivizing consumers to bring their own bags when shopping. Because of some additional opposition, the Council extended the bill language exception for pharmacies charging for bags containing prescription medications to eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions by simply striking the word “pharmacy” in the legislation. The ordinance goes into effect January 1, 2024.