Public Safety Citizen Committee Meeting - March 11, 2026

The City of Flagstaff Public Safety Citizen Committee met on March 11, 2026, to discuss funding priorities and strategies for public safety services. The meeting focused heavily on budget considerations, including the evaluation of capital and operational costs across multiple tiers of public safety needs such as emergency management, fire, police, and airport services. Committee members reviewed detailed cost breakdowns over a 10-year period, including personnel, contracts, commodities, and capital expenses. Discussions included potential funding mechanisms such as bonds, sales tax increases, property taxes, and fees, with emphasis on balancing community affordability and service needs. The committee also considered the timing and approach for public polling to gauge voter support for proposed tax increases or bond measures, aiming to refine funding requests based on community feedback. The importance of clear communication and education to the public about the necessity and impact of funding measures was highlighted, especially in light of recent public safety incidents. Action items included preparing detailed analyses of funding impacts by tier and department, and coordinating outreach and polling efforts to inform future recommendations to the city council.