Tempe, like many cities, needs more money. While they all agree that something needs to be done about the $21 million budget deficit, Tempe City Council candidates clash over what the city should to do to increase revenue and ensure that the community has enough money saved for generations to come.
The city has spent over $388 million of the $1.44 billion budget in 2026, which leads candidates to criticize government spending, tax revenue and what government agencies could be cut to keep costs low.
At the Jan. 14 city council candidate forum, the candidates were asked what they would do to balance the city budget and increase city revenue. Current council members Berdetta Hodge, Arlene Chin and Jennifer Adams explained that there were many factors into raising revenue and that they would encourage the council to make it a priority should they win their reelections, but they did not share any ideas at the time.
New council candidates had different ideas.
As one of the first to answer, Elvis Taska stated that he would forfeit his salary to help with the city budget.
Councilmembers are part-time city employees and paid exactly $37,197 with a $11, 100 for travel and associated expenses. Mayor Corey Woods has a higher salary at $75, 876 and a travel budget of $16,340.
Brooke St. George thinks the council can do away with these travel expenses.
She stated at the forum that much of the government travel was excessive and that there were easier ways to connect with other leaders without spending government funds.
So far in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, city documents show that councilmembers Hodge and Adams have spent the most in their travel allotment, and councilmembers Arlene Chin and Nikki Amburg have spent the least.
The Mayor and Council use their funds to travel to the National League of Cities conferences twice a year, where councilmembers from across the country gather in Washington, D.C. and then a different rotating city for a week of networking and discussion about policy and change that can be implemented in the city.
Members also go to the Arizona League of Cities and other networks around the state, none of which have a virtual option and require travel.
St. George agreed that while these events can be helpful, travel outside of the state should be on hold to help the city overcome its deficit.
“At large corporations and almost any other business in the world, travel is the first thing to go when money is tight. We could be doing it too,” she said.
Joe Forte also mentioned cutting city spending by reverting the city’s Community Health and Human Services office budget from $80 million in the 2025-2026 fiscal year to the previous budget from 2024 of $48 million.
Forte said that he is “Libertarian minded” and that he wanted to explore more ways for the government to step away from public services and help provide profits and resources to nonprofits that the city has worked with previously.
Tempe Community Action Agency and the Aris Foundation are two organizations he mentioned that work to end poverty and provide crisis services to Tempe residents. Both are mainly donor-funded and rely on government partnerships to expand their services.
Forte also mentioned eliminating Council member assistant positions to one assistant per two members.
“Not long ago, it used to be one assistant for two members. Why do we need a full-time assistant for a part-time council role?” He asked rhetorically.
The Council Member Assistant position is a full-time position with a minimum salary of $71,800 and benefits. Each council assistant is hired by the Mayor and Council Relations Director, held by Tanya Chavez, alongside the council member that they would represent.
Eliminating three council assistant positions could save the city over $215,000 in salary expenses, but city officials and staff would need to reach an agreement before positions are eliminated.
Bobby Nichols, a longtime Tempe resident, is first of the candidates to propose raising taxes in Tempe, as it could bring revenue into the city without cutting positions or city departments. He has proposed a 2% tax on commercial shipping, lodging and leasing of commercial properties.
Forte would also like to bring revenue into the city in the form of events and tourism opportunities. He suggested a college championship game like the Fiesta Bowl or the Tostitos Bowl to come to Mountain America Stadium at Arizona State University’s Campus or to have a performer or talent use the Tempe Center for the Arts to bring in participants from surrounding cities.
The deadline to register to vote for council candidates is Feb. 9 with the primary election happening on March 10. To learn more about the candidates and their platforms, visit Meet Your City Council Candidates | City of Tempe, AZ
Clarifications have been made on Joe Forte's opinion of the city's Community Health and Human Services office.
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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