What are your thoughts on Tempe Proposition 424, a half-cent sales tax increase that goes to voters in November? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
OPINION — Don't be misled by the city of Tempe's or the special-interest groups' campaign propaganda and misinformation regarding Proposition 424.
In fiscal year 2025, Tempe firefighters received an average of $209,094 in salary, benefits and pension contributions, according to city data. Tempe police officers received $197,360, city data shows.
Why are Tempe leaders asking taxpayers for an additional $30 million per year for firefighters and police officers?
How can residents afford another tax increase when families are already struggling with the high costs of groceries, gasoline, health care, housing and other necessities?
Tempe has consistently demonstrated irresponsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
The city manager receives compensation estimated at more than $524,000 annually, including salary, benefits and pension contributions.
Three deputy city managers receive approximately $350,000 to $517,000. Two of those don’t even live in Tempe.
Meanwhile, the city's workforce has grown substantially. In 2016, Tempe employed 1,824 full-time equivalent employees. By 2025, that increased to 2,266 FTEs, a 24% increase. (Source of raw data: City of Tempe).
Tempe’s 2,266 FTEs are for a population of 191,590, or 11.83 employees per 1,000 residents. Chandler’s 1,906 full-time employees are for a population of 288,789, or 6.6 per 1,000. In Gilbert, it’s 1,777 FTEs for 294,689, or 6.03 per thousand.
Why does Tempe maintain a bloated bureaucracy significantly larger than neighboring cities?
Tempe is paying for ongoing employee compensation by spending reserve funds, shifting money from other needs and relying on money that may never be collected.
City leaders have repeatedly expanded staffing, compensation and expenditures while asking taxpayers to provide more funding.
The city's operating budget cannot continue supporting these unsustainable levels.
Before imposing another tax increase, Tempe leaders should make real-world decisions about layoffs, reductions in outrageous employee compensation packages and stop giving away all the “free stuff.”
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