TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — The Tempe City Council has approved a measure that will go before voters in November, asking residents to decide on a 0.5% sales tax increase to help close a $24 million budget deficit.
City leaders advanced the proposal Thursday, but it drew immediate pushback from some residents, including Mario Martinez.
“Tempe taxpayers do not deserve a massive tax increase worth billions,” Martinez said.
Councilmember Arlene Chin said the council inherited the shortfall, which she attributed to actions by the Arizona Legislature and the federal government.
If approved, the 0.5% increase would be split into three categories:
- 0.3% for public safety, including police, fire and crime prevention
- 0.1% for public transit
- 0.1% for early childhood care and preschool education
Sgt. Rob Ferraro, president of the Tempe Officers Association, said the department has fewer officers than it did in 2008, and response times have suffered.
“This is about giving voters the opportunity to decide if we should finally right-size our public safety system,” Ferraro said.
Some residents have raised concerns about whether public safety funding could support the city’s use of Flock cameras, which read license plates and have sparked privacy backlash. The city has defended the cameras as a crime-fighting tool.
Child care costs also surfaced as a major issue. Kirsten Paulet, with the Phoenix-Gilbert chapter of Chamber of Mothers, said she pays about $1,000 a month for child care for just two days a week. She said added support could help families avoid long-term financial strain.
“It’s taking from his future, whether that be him purchasing a home, whether him going to college,” Paulet said.
Tempe would implement the tax on Jan. 1, 2027, if voters approve it.
The city of Tempe has been contacted for comment, but has not yet responded.
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