This map shows many of the services and projects covered under Proposition 479 sales-tax funding. The Chandler City Council learned, at a Sept. 14 work session, what changed in the transition from Prop 400 to 479 funding rules, as well as gave transportation direction to staff on some transit services.
The city of Chandler is getting some help from county sales tax revenue in paying for some of its transportation projects and services.
Whether that’s more or less than what it used to receive depends somewhat on the transportation category.
City staff went over the city’s limits and benefits of Proposition 479 funding with Chandler City Council in a Sept. 14 work session.
Proposition 479 is a 20-year, 0.5% Maricopa County sales tax measure approved by about a 60%-to-40% margin in November 2024, It pays for many of the same transportation costs as its predecessors, propositions 300 and 400.
Jason Crampton, a senior transportation planner, provided a broad overview of what Prop. 479 pays for and doesn’t, among Chandler projects and services.
Crampton said the city uses state grant and now federal funds to help pay for the Chandler Flex program, which functions similar to a taxi service, whereas Maricopa Association of Governments Prop. 479 programs help pay for most other transportation categories.
Mayor Kevin Hartke, who has remained deeply involved in MAG transportation planning throughout nearly all of his two four-year terms, chaired the MAG Regional Council for a year. He pointed out that local shuttle-type transportation was something committee members were adamant shouldn’t be including in the Prop 479 proposals.
One element Prop. 479 does include are matches or portions of funding through MAG’s Arterial Life Cycle Program. That program is being used for a major overhaul of Kyrene Road, from Loop 202 to Chandler Boulevard, with MAG reimbursing the city for about $14.2 million of an estimated $42 million project.
Council unanimously approved the Kyrene Road project and reimbursement agreement Sept. 17, the same week as the work session.
Crampton said Flex use has climbed consistently over the past four years. Use of the city’s rideshare program, which was strong before it took a major dip during COVID-19 restrictions, has rebounded nicely in the years since, he said, while paratransit use has shrunk.
Marge Zylla, the city’s strategic initiatives director, senior planner Hezequias Rocha and Nancy Jackson, a senior transportation planning coordinator, also presented and/or took questions during the work session.
Council answered transportation staff’s main directional questions during the session:
-Keep paratransit service as is, even though it costs the city between $200,000 and $250,000 per year and it doesn’t align with most of the region.
-New applicants age 65 or older will be required to complete an Americans with Disabilities Act assessment.
-Agreed to a list of bus route expansions and to include a south-central third of the city within the new Chandler Flex service area.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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