Officials in Tucson are working to turn over a recommended budget for the city next year.
The city manager produced a $2.4 billion recommended budget for the mayor and council this week. Under discussion is roughly $750 million belonging to the general fund, which pays for transit, public safety, and other public services.
Members of the public are invited to take part in a hearing next month on May 6 that will look at how that money should be divvied up. A final budget is expected by June.
Since 2020, city buses and other public transportation like the street car have been fare-free. But the city is facing what could be a multimillion-dollar funding shortfall. Local leaders voted to conduct an analysis on how changing the fare-free model would impact residents.
The draft budget also comes after residents declined to approve a ballot initiative that would have funded public safety and affordable housing with a half cent sales tax.
