On Wednesday night, Phoenix City Council approved a nearly $5 billion expenditure budget for the coming fiscal year. More than $1 billion of that will go toward policing.
City officials are touting how the budget sets aside millions of dollars for eviction legal services, homelessness response and more funding for the Housing Trust fund meant to increase development of affordable homes.
But a sticking point throughout the hearing Wednesday was a $46 million increase in year-over-year funding for the Police Department. Some public commenters cited the initial DOJ report, as they told council they did not approve of the police funding bump.
Council Member Jim Waring says the department needs more money to replace staffing.
“I think it's of paramount importance that we increase the number of police officers we're putting on the street every day. We're at 1990 something levels of staffing with a much bigger city. We've got more miles of roads," Waring said.
The budget passed 8-to-1. Councilmember Anna Hernandez was the sole dissenting vote.
“It sends the message that we will prioritize criminalization over dignity and care, and it is a reflection of fear and habit and a refusal to imagine a different future," Hernandez said.
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