The four core services under the City of Tucson Charter are: police, fire, streets and parks.

Thanks to the good citizens of Tucson who approved Proposition 409 and in 2017, with Proposition 101, funding is available for further road work, police and fire vehicles, equipment
and facilities.

In dealing with the fourth core service, the Mayor and Council and the City Manager had discussions about the state of the City’s Park and Recreation facilities.

Prior to these discussions, I worked to get improvements in Ward 5 parks facilities, including: the new lighting at Silverlake Park, the irrigation system at Rudy Garcia Park, the crossing HAWK at 6th and Irvington, the redesign of the Santa Rita Park bathrooms,  the improvement of playground equipment at Santa Rosa Park, the Buffalo Soldiers artwork mural at the Quincie Douglas Center, the Quincie Douglas artwork mural at the library named for her, speed tables at Sierra Middle School and neighborhoods, barbecue grills at Pueblo Gardens Park to name several and “Bring Back the Splash,” that opened pools in Ward 5 and throughout the city during the last several summers through a private/public partnership, to name a few.

My efforts were accomplished using alternate funding sources, such as: impact fees, grant funds, private funding donated through the Parks and Recreation Foundation, service line warranty revenue funding and monies that came from my Ward 5 Council Office budget.  

These sources help to get some projects completed but it wasn’t enough funding to cover other needs.

The Mayor and Council, working with City Manager Michael Ortega and his staff, put together a proposal to issue General Obligation Bonds to fund the repairs and improvements to the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Facilities.

I worked to ensure that each City Park in Ward 5 and our Ward 5 Recreation Centers at El Pueblo, Cherry Avenue and Quincie Douglas had projects in this proposal.

The Mayor and Council voted to put this proposal on the November 6 general election ballot and will be known as Proposition 407.

The City of Tucson is asking Tucson voters to approve Proposition 407, which is a $225 million General Obligation Bond question for capital improvements in the Parks and Recreation facilities.

If approved by the voters, the bond funds will be dedicated to improving City parks amenities – including playgrounds, sports fields, pools, splash pads, and recreation centers – as well connections (defined as pedestrian pathways, bicycle pathways, pedestrian and bicycle safety).

Proposition 407 would not raise the taxes of the good citizens of Tucson. It’s based on the City’s primary and secondary property tax assessments and keeping them level and with the City retiring old Bond debt, it will create a potential capacity of $225 million that would be used over nine years to make repairs and improvements.  

Parks and Recreation Facilities in each Ward would get improvements, repairs and new equipment under this proposal.   A citizen’s oversight committee would oversee the spending for these projects to ensure the funds are spent as stated in the ballot proposition.

With the recent economic downturn, there has been limited funding for Parks capital, maintenance, and staffing needs.  Since the recession, due to a decline in sales tax revenue and rising costs, the City has been unable to invest in large capital needs, like parks and facility improvements.

The money generated through Proposition 407 can only be used for projects listed.  Bond money cannot be used for City employee salaries or pension costs.

If Proposition 407 is approved by voters, the community would see improvement, starting in July 2020.The City’s goal is to maintain the current secondary tax at the existing rate; new bonds will be issued in July 2020 as old bond debt is retired.  Prior to issuance, City staff will work with community members to design upcoming improvements.

I am working with my Ward 1 Council colleague, Regina Romero, to hold a town hall on Proposition 407 for early October at the El Pueblo Senior Center.  

If an organization, neighborhood association or group would like a presentation from the City of Tucson on Proposition 407, please call 791-4204 and ask for Andy Squire, Andrew.squire@tucsonaz.gov, or Lane Mandle, lane.mandle@tucsonaz.gov.

For more information about Proposition 407, go online to: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/parksbond.

To learn more about the proposed projects for each park and recreation center, go online to: https://cotgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=1ecc433d37e141e198ab9301bdc1a736.