Public Safety Citizen Committee Meeting - May 6, 2026

The City of Flagstaff Public Safety Citizen Committee met on May 6, 2026, to discuss funding priorities related to public safety, focusing on the allocation of sales tax and bond funds between the police and fire departments. Key procurement-related topics included the proposed $40 million general obligation bond for one-time capital expenses such as fire station construction, equipment, and technology upgrades, as well as ongoing funding through a 0.25% sales tax for personnel and operational costs. The committee reviewed survey results to prioritize funding items, with fire prevention and wildland fire management receiving strong community support. Discussions also addressed transparency concerns regarding police technology investments, specifically criminal investigative tools used for digital evidence collection, emphasizing the need to clarify that these tools are not surveillance equipment. The committee considered separating funding details for police and fire to improve public understanding and planned to finalize recommendations and a roll call vote in the next meeting. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were mentioned, but the meeting focused on budget allocations and capital improvement projects affecting future procurement.