Mayor Regina Romero delivers her annual Report to Tucsonans at the Tucson Convention Center on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024.
Mayor Regina Romero delivered her annual report to Tucsonans at the Tucson Convention Center, highlighting accomplishments made by her office, the city council and city manager over the past year.
“I have proven that I know how to do this work, taking bold action grounded in evidence-based, data-driven decision making,” Romero said. “But the city of Tucson does not do this work alone.”
Romero credited public, private and academic partners, as well as regional, state, federal and tribal governments, local nonprofits, community organizations and individuals for their collaborative efforts.
“In partnership with the city manager, mayor and council work to make the best use of each and every one of your tax dollars,” Romero said. “Funding the priorities Tucsonans want to see to improve our quality of life, affordable housing solutions for unsheltered homelessness, support for police, fire and 911, better roads, improved infrastructure and parks and delivering community safety and resources to our residents.”
Economic Development and Public Safety
Romero acknowledged ongoing challenges such as housing affordability, climate change and the fentanyl crisis.
She highlighted a 2024 Moody’s Investment Service report that upgraded Tucson’s outlook from stable to positive, reflecting expectations of economic growth and sound financial management supported by new developments.
“We are identifying gaps that exist throughout the city of Tucson and filling those gaps with programs and services that have never existed before,” Romero said.
Romero introduced Proposition 414, asking voters in March, to consider a half-cent sales tax increase over ten years to fund the Safe and Vibrant City Community Investment Plan.
Prop. 414 Safe and Vibrant City Community Investment Plan
VIEW LARGER April Putney, with the No Prop 414 coalition sharing anti-Prop 414 information with fellow protestors about the city's Safe & Vibrant Cities Community Investment Plan outside of the Tucson Convention Center ahead of Mayor Regina Romero's speech on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. If approved, the city’s sales tax rate would increase by 3.1% and generate approximately $80 million, allocated across five areas: affordable housing and shelter, neighborhood and community resilience, enhanced emergency response, technology investments, and capital investments for first responders.
However, not all Tucsonans support this initiative.
April Putney, representing the No on Prop 414 coalition, argued the plan does not sufficiently fund programs with direct community benefit.
“Only less than 17.5% really goes to housing and more than 50% of the budget revenues will go to increased police surveillance,” Putney tsaid, citing public feedback that prioritized housing affordability, mental health services and childhood education.
“There is nothing to support $16.7 million for air support modernization for the police,” Putney said.
Proposition 414 proposes allocations of $14 million for affordable housing and shelter, $13.4 million for neighborhood and community resilience, $18.2 million for enhanced emergency response, $9.8 million for technology investments and $24.6 million for capital investments for first responders.
Romero emphasized investments in both public safety and community resources, highlighting the Community Safety Awareness and Response Center (CSARC), which serves as a command post enhancing coordination among public safety agencies.
She also announced the creation of the Office of Violence Interruption and Prevention to streamline initiatives reducing gun violence and crime, in partnership with UMC Banner and Goodwill of Southern Arizona.
Additionally, Romero celebrated the success of the Violence Interruption Vitalization Action (VIVA) program, which targets high-crime neighborhoods.
In areas like South Campbell, Grant and Alvernon and 22nd and Prudence, gun violence has been reduced an average of 80% in these targeted areas.
Romero said that the city has also budgeted for more commissioned police officers and firefighters.
“We have hired 17 professional staff investigators, with 15 more coming in 2025– a total increase of 111 staff members joining TPD, including 51 sworn staff, 32 professional staff and 28 community service officers,” Romero said.
The city also broke ground last year for the new Fire Station 14 on the northwest corner of South Nogales highway and Drexel and anticipates the completion of Station Five near Grant and Country Club.
Housing
Romero outlined the city’s efforts to create affordable housing, including developments of Milagro on Oracle and Sugar Hill on Stone, which will provide 63 affordable units for seniors and separate units for unsheltered individuals.
Funding sources include an $18.1 million low-income tax credit from the Arizona Department of Housing, $1 million in American Rescue Plan funds, half a million dollars of federal HOME funds and approximately $1 million from other sources.
The city also received $500,000 through the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Planning Grant which secured $50 million in federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds to the Thrive in the 05 initiative.
Additionally, an $11.5 million PRICE grant will rehabilitate or replace aging or unsafe housing, help mobile home residents in acquiring land and provide eviction prevention services and legal aid.
“Mobile homes are the most affordable housing options currently in Tucson and also the most vulnerable to heat, cold and predatory landlords,” Romero said.
The city received $2.5 million in tax credits to build another 66 affordable housing units for theSugar Hill on Stone apartments, the city’s second low-income housing tax credit project located on the abandoned Bum Steer property.
The city has added 478 low-barrier shelter and transitional housing beds with 70 more underway at the former Fire Station 8 in the Amphi district which is expected to open soon.
Water Security and Climate Resilience
Romero emphasized Tucson’s commitment to water security, highlighting Tucson Water’s delivery of 8.7 billion gallons of potable water, 4.75 billion gallons of recycled water in 2024. “We gave over 1200 conservation rebates, resulting in over 17 million gallons of water saved,” Romero said. “We provided $1.7 million in low-income assistance and conducted over 45,000 water quality analyses.
The municipally owned utility which serves 750,000 customers daily, will be celebrating 125 years of service to the community this year.
The city is expanding the Southeast Houghton Area Recharge Project and began construction of the Randolph Park Groundwater Treatment Facility, which looks to block the movement of forever chemicals.
Romero also noted the adoption of the Heat Action Roadmap, implementation of heat protection policies for workers and distribution of more than 900 heat relief kits.
The city is also working on solar panel installations for low-income senior residents to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer predictable energy pricing.
Parks and Infrastructure
Romero celebrated progress in park infrastructure, including breaking ground on Barrio Nopal improvements funded by Proposition 407: Parks + Connections Bond, $12 million of investments at Joaquin Murrieta Park set for completion this year, splash pads at Freedom Park and Fort Lowell Park and nearly $2.9 million of federal funds to be added to Prop 470 for Jacobs Park.
The city marked the completion of the first 50 projects funded by Proposition 411: Street Improvement Sales Tax, resurfacing 257 miles of streets in 73 neighborhoods with 87 miles of streets in 28 under construction,” Romero said.
Romero also highlighted the Sun Link Streetcar’s 10th anniversary, noting its 10 million riders, 1,200 construction jobs and $4 billion of private investment along its route.
“Economic development and wealth generation are keys to the vibrancy of the future of Tucson,” Romero said. “I will continue to develop stronger international commerce ties with Mexico, our biggest trading partner.”
Romero announced talks with Volaris Air about adding a direct flight from Tucson to Mexico and ongoing discussions with Mexican sports leagues coming to tucson.
This year, the city will inaugurate the City of Tucson’s Small Business Center, which is located in partnership with the Tucson Industrial Development Authority on Meyer Street.
“We must say yes to investing in our community safety and making the quality of life for every Tucsonan better,” Romero said.
Romero concluded with a commitment to eliminating homelessness, ensuring climate resiliency, enhancing education and work opportunities, creating high-quality jobs and managing resources effectively.
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