Public Safety Tax Initiative

To provide the community transparency regarding the use of dedicated transaction privilege tax funds

Dedicated Transaction Privilege Tax - Proposition 478

Proposition 478 was developed as a means to fund public safety services at the City of Prescott.  Funds shall only be for public safety services directed solely to the public safety of life, health, property and welfare of inhabitants of the city and is only available to the Prescott Fire Department and Prescott Police Department including dispatch and emergency medical services.

Public Safety Projects Funding Sources

These funds will be distributed from a separate revenue account within the General Fund and will be monitored throughout the year. They will also remain publicly accessible via this page. Any unspent tax revenue collected each year will be tracked and reported.

 

The Public Safety Tax went into effect on April 1, 2025. Projected revenue for fiscal year 2025 is $5,329,500. In the table below, actual revenue will reflect a delay due to the collection and distribution process managed by the Arizona Department of Revenue, based on monthly tax reporting.

 

Because project expenditures may exceed revenue in the early years, the City may utilize financing to cover these costs, which will be reported under the "Proceeds from Debt" line. These financing amounts will be repaid over time using Public Safety Tax revenue, reported under operating expenditures.

Immediate Needs

(1 to 3 years)

  • Catching Up to Current Needs

Short Term

(4 to 7 years)

  • Repairing - Maintenance Backlog

Longer Term

(8 to 10 years)

  • Prepared for Future Growth
  • Fire Stations
    • One New
    • One Relocated
    • One Major Remodel
  • Police Property and Evidence Facility

Facility Needs

  • Fire Stations
    • Three Safety and Health Remodels
    • Land & Design for 2nd New Station
  • Police
    • Additional Facilities & Enhancements
  • Fire Stations
    • Build 2nd New Station

Immediate Needs

(1 to 3 years)

  • Catching Up to Current Needs

Short Term

(4 to 7 years)

  • Repairing - Maintenance Backlog

Longer Term

(8 to 10 years)

  • Prepared for Future Growth
  • Recruitment and Retention
  • New Personnel
    • Sixteen Sworn Police Officers
    • Fifteen Fire Personnel
    • Two Fire Safety Positions
    • Three Support Staff
  • Low Acuity Response
  • Public Access Defibrillation Program 

Operational Needs

  • Recruitment and Retention
  • New Personnel
    • Emergency Management Staffing
    • Special Enforcement Team
    • Additional K-9s
  • New Personnel
    • Fire Station 77 Staffing

Immediate Needs

(1 to 3 years)

  • Catching Up to Current Needs

Short Term

(4 to 7 years)

  • Repairing - Maintenance Backlog

Longer Term

(8 to 10 years)

  • Prepared for Future Growth
  • Fill downtown, midtown, and northside response gaps
  • Improve response times
  • Fill critical public safety positions
  • Stabilize recruitment and retention
  • Enhance community policing & traffic enforcement

Community Impacts

  • Improve health and safety of public safety personnel
  • Prepare for future growth of the community
  • Improve existing public safety facilities to extend their life
  • Continue to focus on improving public safety outcomes