Public Safety Citizen Committee - April 8, 2026

The City of Flagstaff Public Safety Citizen Committee met on April 8, 2026, to discuss funding priorities for public safety through potential sales tax increases and bond measures. The committee reviewed detailed proposals for a 0.25% and 0.50% sales tax increase aimed at funding new personnel, equipment, and operational costs across emergency management, fire, police, and airport services. Key procurement-related topics included hiring additional firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and support staff, as well as capital projects such as fire station 7 construction, fire training facility phases, police department expansion, and fleet acquisitions. The committee also discussed a proposed $40-45 million bond to cover capital improvements without increasing overall tax rates, emphasizing the need to align capital projects with staffing capabilities. Public engagement plans were outlined, including upcoming meetings for community input and survey results. The committee expressed the importance of balancing community approval with departmental baseline needs and considered drafting a letter to city council to emphasize core service priorities. No final votes were recorded during this meeting, but action items include further deliberation at future meetings and public outreach efforts.