Tempe Councilmember Bobby Nichols announced on Friday, Sept. 18 on social media that he would be voting yes for Proposition 424 in Tempe. Should the proposition pass, the city would see an increase in sales tax of 0.5% on non-grocery purchases to help support public safety, transportation and preschool accessibility through a city-funded program.
On May 14 the city council voted to propose an increase in sales tax of 0.5% on non-grocery purchases to help support public safety, transportation and preschool accessibility through a city-funded program.
Nichols, who was not on council when the vote about the proposal was made, made it clear that he was sharing his views as a private citizen of Tempe rather than a city official and that he “wrestled with the question for weeks.”
“I believe that the revenues generated by Prop. 424 can and should be used to expand and improve social services for working people,” he said in a social media post.
He also addressed the clause in the proposal that refers to “public safety,” which the city says could support police, park rangers and paramedics.
Should it be approved, the new tax is estimated to raise $50 million per year.
“Importantly, the term ‘public safety’ is open to reasonable interpretation by city council during our budget negotiations, and there is nothing in Prop. 424 that requires the city council to spend all (or any) of the new transportation privilege tax revenues on the police department,” he said.
Nichols also explained that the funds could be used for heat relief and homeless solutions throughout the city — something residents have brought to the council before.
Nolan Williams, a middle school teacher and co-president of Tempe YIMBY, which stands for Yes In My Backyard, called for more homeless solutions during the Aug. 31 city council meeting.
“We need shelter. We need non-congregate homeless shelters. We need domestic violence and family support shelters. We need transitionary housing. We need a voucher program for emergency rapid-response family shelters,” he said.
Williams spoke from experience of his work with children, domestic violence survivors, and families that are often the most vulnerable when they don’t have housing.
Nichols ran on a platform of increasing taxes for short term rental owners, corporations and the wealthy, and said that he was conflicted in passing a tax that would impact working residents.
However, he says that cities are limited to what taxes and levies can be used for revenue, and says that despite the increase, the revenue would go back to Tempe residents.
For information on Proposition 424, visit Frequently Asked Questions – Proposition 424 | City of Tempe, AZ.
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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