[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6079654,"mediaKeyId","2955041-231a415e7bd497add5a944dbfb957aa1","parentId",2955041,"title","Council directs outreach on Route 5 major service change, launches fare equity study and asks staff to evaluate transit funding options","audioSeconds",348,"startMs",6203000,"endMs",6551000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955041-231a415e7bd497add5a944dbfb957aa1&start=6203&end=6551","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955041-231a415e7bd497add5a944dbfb957aa1/thumbnail_6203000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079654/Tucson-City/Pima-County/Arizona/Council-directs-outreach-on-Route-5-major-service-change-launches-fare-equity-study-and-asks-staff-to-evaluate-transit-funding-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079654-9878965721cdade31dc893345ffbcd1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603931&Signature=J3ryLylkuBZmtVVFfNd88ULxHB1NTUs5V~WL5x0qjg-jLUa7fI1ZbxQXS21QqKjg8wCGJKtDMpuwStlZBo35PacPY8PnOoWGQinYGdU6shnTkYm3NmzMqes1DnilFGmHuZvwFYNWnuKKFxVyEK7QIO6VGUV-on~bBbrvXVrza-OYQ0bBZsDbZF-VgpxEjDtnFquzCMMTDRxXNIydFBKBwzcMbsxB-0PS9Wz7MF7a4jbxfOS~NYk4y9jCKMy8lJ16dZrtULrwVK0vgYWIFMefFIts-h0CF7gCnVXiyZVasEH72gCt1GJJ6ALyiQZVikvrjZyouexoLzejEd2Leff5sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tuscon City, Arizona","date","2025-04-11T00:55:27.323Z","article","The Tucson City Council on April 8 approved multiple, related transit directives: staff will begin the public‑outreach and Title VI process for a proposed major service change affecting Route 5 and Route 22, the council authorized a Title VI fare equity analysis of five scenarios for fares, and it directed staff to return with options to study new or increased funding sources for Sun Tran.

Major service change outreach — Route 5/22: The council voted to start the formal process for a major service change that staff says would eliminate Route 5 (a low‑productivity route) and instead realign and extend Route 22 to Pima Community College West to preserve needed connections while removing service from neighborhood streets. Transit staff estimated the annual net operating savings at about $1 million if Route 5 were removed and Route 22 extended; staff emphasized any change would require a Title VI service equity analysis, a public hearing, and formal approval by council before taking effect.

Fare equity analysis: Council also directed staff to complete a fare equity analysis under federal Title VI requirements on five scenarios: (1) returning to the 2018 fare structure, (2) fares for SunLink and SunExpress only, (3) a simplified base fare (50¢), (4) fare capping (pay‑as‑you‑go with daily/monthly caps), and (5) a free low‑income pass (a targeted free pass). Transit Director Sam Credio told council the FTA requires a Title VI analysis for any fare change and noted those analyses must examine impacts on minority and low‑income riders. Councilmember Lane Lee moved the Title VI analysis motion and it passed after debate (final tally 4–2).

Study of funding options: Separately, the council voted to direct staff to return with processes to evaluate several funding options to support transit, including pursuing partnership agreements with major institutions (Pima College, University of Arizona, large employers), the hotel/motel surcharge (the manager proposed a $1 per night increase as one option and staff was also asked to model a percentage‑based structure), a half‑percent increase in the city public‑utility tax baseline (the city last increased that tax in 2016), pursuing Local Transportation Assistance Funds (LTAF) and other state lottery‑derived funds, adjustments to parking pricing, and other options such as an advertising tax. The motion also instructed staff to look at whether Pima County and the state could be asked to contribute. The council asked staff to return with revenue projections for each option and legal constraints.

Council reaction and votes: Supporters of the Title VI study and funding analysis framed the motions as steps to build a sustainable funding base while being mindful of equity; supporters of maintaining fare‑free transit warned that reinstating fares would reduce ridership and disproportionately affect low‑income residents. The Title VI motion passed 4–2; the motion to study partnership and funding options passed unanimously.

Next steps and timeline: Staff said the Route 5 major service change would require public outreach, a Title VI service‑equity study and a public hearing prior to any implementation. The fare equity analysis was expected to take about 6–8 weeks and will return to council with scenario results and potential revenue projections.

Ending: Council members asked for clear revenue‑model comparisons and Title VI findings so they can weigh equity impacts alongside operational savings and potential new revenues before any fare or major service decisions are made.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tucson Mayor and City Council Meetings APR 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tucson City Council on April 8 approved staff outreach for a proposed major service change that would eliminate Route 5 and extend Route 22 to PCC West, directed a Title VI fare equity analysis of five fare options, and asked staff to analyze multiple transit funding sources.","taxTitle","Tucson City, Pima County, Arizona","taxId",2572,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079660,"City manager warns of $27–28 million FY2026 operating gap; proposes critical needs and public engagement",313,3693000,4006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955041-231a415e7bd497add5a944dbfb957aa1&start=3693&end=4006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955041-231a415e7bd497add5a944dbfb957aa1/thumbnail_3693000.jpg","/articles/6079660/Tucson-City/Pima-County/Arizona/City-manager-warns-of-2728-million-FY2026-operating-gap-proposes-critical-needs-and-public-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079660-cfa12c288d0f13055c38f134f4aa72b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603931&Signature=gKxj9NQ~MZ0uzUXmmnXYWdATm9FlsZY9ZTd-Xrh5EAaO8tpGl15Lhg57CmY0btLPMKu0-7YuobN8bgV6V0TPd-7BLEkhLF5TAy2YtVnch9tBJN1bqelOlCnEf4Rxt-kKYD3sCAUPg~AErkc9JCf~ihsoBtRpvqbpK32Ss894PidbRVKZKqrlhMDZ3z2zgJMtknhJWASWphpJT7~j3lzrRaFd4utCA48Hz3c9dAxI1YSygp7jjI6cy7gMD4-x9FOo-9Px9ho7tQIsP0~4LvdKRdkZYNrNPc~Q-EV9zX-r1lezQfnH2QKurZCdglv0utfyTmm20K0NPnzv6HzP2EgvwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Michael Tamir and finance staff on April 8 updated the Tucson City Council on the FY2026 budget outlook, reporting a larger shortfall than earlier estimates and listing near‑term “critical needs” staff recommends protecting.

Numbers and shortfall: Finance staff said weaker recent sales‑tax receipts and revised state revenue forecasts have pushed the FY2026 projected operating deficit to roughly $27 million to $28 million. The presentation showed projected FY2025 year‑end available general‑fund balance would be lower than previously estimated (city managers reported a drop from about $63.8 million to about $53.9 million in the projected year‑end balance after recent sales tax weakness). The FY2026 preliminary column in staff materials showed a projected negative year‑end available fund balance of about $8.1 million if no corrective actions are taken.

Critical needs and tentative approvals: Staff described a list of “critical needs” — items the city manager intends to recommend for funding despite the revenue squeeze — totaling about $14.6 million for FY2026. That package includes additional Tucson Police sworn positions, staffing for a day‑truck operation in Tucson Fire (about 14 positions), public‑safety communications staffing (seven positions), an Office of Violence Prevention and Thrive Zone investments (~$2 million and several staff), a $4 million contribution toward an ongoing general‑fund capital replacement program, and $1 million for critical public‑safety IT backbone work.

Supplemental requests and tentatively approved items: Departments requested roughly $82 million in supplemental positions and non‑personnel items across funds (the presentation noted 50 requested new general‑fund positions totaling about $8.9 million, and additional non‑general‑fund position requests). Staff said some tentatively approved items in the general fund and non‑general funds have been incorporated into the five‑year financial plan where possible, but the city remains far from balanced.

Council engagement and next steps: Tamir emphasized the city must balance the budget and that adopting a nominally balanced FY2026 budget is not enough; staff said the city needs to build additional cash balance to address multi‑year commitments and the investment plan. Staff will present a recommended budget on April 22; council must adopt a final FY2026 budget by June 3. Staff also highlighted public engagement: an online budget survey open through April 11 (already more than 1,800 responses at the time of the presentation), employee outreach, and a virtual community budget town hall scheduled for April 10.

Why it matters: Staff said the shortfall is driven mainly by lower sales‑tax collections than previously forecast, not immediate changes in city policy. Tamir and CFO Anna Rosenberry and Business Services Director Angel Ozomela told council they are preparing options that include spending reprioritization and revenue alternatives. Council members asked for additional detail on departmental vacancy prioritization, how to visualize core vs. discretionary services, and how to sequence potential fee or tax changes. Several council members urged preserving investments that protect vulnerable residents while also asking staff to identify operational efficiencies and potential new revenue sources.

Ending: Tamir told council the city will return with the recommended budget April 22 and that staff will continue to refine revenue projections and present specific corrective options before the June 3 adoption deadline.","City staff presented an updated FY2026 budget outlook showing an operating deficit in the range of $27–28 million driven mainly by weaker sales tax projections, and identified a set of ‘critical needs’ totaling about $14.6 million that staff recommends prioritizing for continued funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079664,"Tucson manager unveils multi‑year compensation plan; targets in‑range pay for 896 employees and performance reviews",1553,987000,2540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955041-231a415e7bd497add5a944dbfb957aa1&start=987&end=2540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955041-231a415e7bd497add5a944dbfb957aa1/thumbnail_987000.jpg","/articles/6079664/Tucson-City/Pima-County/Arizona/Tucson-manager-unveils-multiyear-compensation-plan-targets-inrange-pay-for-896-employees-and-performance-reviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079664-6227f3f480f9be136f5ccc6ccbcae191/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603931&Signature=dDhcVuG6G087t3JgI-FZpW9Dk4W4lzDr4nMD~2RzelnpbcrJ9gsfkrjQk~nqOQUpLt4PhR5oHruQeshaQdFLRM2Ezh7RJGUt2jYXCafY5WA~hkEAe86tPMu1NERcw8gaxPyVicuykDPjxYU10Mj9bO3Xn6o4skifyf7gf5-cQ5FfcGx9PfZL~x2LEH1yOQ1g6zmyO-H7oDE3KqahRkwtuBL8qEEXo41jvoU5p2WnZdQplnCqbw5FffmorP5e1dtooona4EEi7NbhXiE7F4p4Zh1R6OTxOldnDz1NrOIeXgtO7EN5-ggAFI9VGglj6Lg6kvSfLJfgh4jZAsI61aoBWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tucson City Manager Michael Tamir and Human Resources Director Dr. Terry Train on April 8 presented a multi‑year compensation plan for FY2026 that aims to address pay compression and restore market alignment across city jobs.

The plan outlines three main components: in‑range pay placement for incumbent employees identified in a fall 2023 audit (about 896 people), an annual base pay progression of 1.5%, and multi‑year market adjustments for job classifications found below market—particularly non‑commission police and fire and many other titles. Tamir told the council the city is reserving dollars in the FY2026 recommended budget to implement the first phase and to continue corrections in FY2027 and FY2028.

Why it matters: City leaders said the package is intended to reduce pay compression, reward experience and education, and reduce turnover by moving employees toward market‑appropriate pay. Tamir said the general‑fund portion of the FY2026 recommendation is roughly $13.6 million (plus another $7.3 million in non‑general funds) — a total of about $21 million in recommended employee investment for FY2026. Over three years the plan represents about $60 million of investment in employee compensation in the city manager's presentation.

Key mechanics and timing: The plan would use a “base pay calculator” to place employees appropriately within pay ranges; it also requires a baseline performance review before employees eligible for in‑range pay placement receive adjustments. Tamir said directors will be provided lists of incumbents and that about 896 employees are in the first round; those employees must complete a performance review meeting standards by mid‑June for pay adjustments to be applied in the first full July pay period (July 13). Dr. Train said the city has moved performance reviews and employee experience/education records into the Workday HRIS and is offering virtual trainings to help employees update records and supervisors complete evaluations.

Market adjustments and public safety: The city performed a detailed market analysis for police and fire with a consultant (McGrath); the recommendation is to move affected public‑safety job ranges toward market plus 1% over three years and to continue annual pay progression. City staff said roughly 97 job titles (about 526 employees) are impacted by a targeted market adjustment because they were found 10–29% below market during the analysis.

Exceptions and limits: The plan contains special handling for employees already paid above the top of their pay range (the memo proposes giving those employees half of the annual pay progression rather than the full 1.5% to avoid pushing salaries above safe harbor limits). Tamir said the city will re‑run the placement analysis next spring after employees update education/experience data in Workday and will reserve funds to address additional corrections.

Implementation and next steps: Staff described multiple engagement steps (department briefings, mayor’s hearing opportunities, and individual HR appointments) to let employees review their data and ask questions. Managers said in‑range placements and market adjustments require final budget approval and additional administrative steps (e.g., documentation in Workday) before pay changes occur.

What council members asked: Council members asked about the timing, how ranges were displayed in Workday (a prior miscommunication over showing a ‘safe harbor’ upper range was corrected in staff materials), how pay progression would interact with job reclassification, and whether performance metrics will tie to department priorities. Dr. Train said supervisors are being trained to set 3–5 professional goals for employees tied to essential functions and department strategic metrics.

Ending: City staff said the compensation proposal is an initial—yet significant—investment to correct long‑standing compensation variation, and that more adjustments may follow as employees update records and staff refine the pay calculator in subsequent cycles.","City manager and human resources director presented a multi‑year compensation plan as part of FY2026 budget planning, proposing in‑range pay placement, a 1.5% annual pay progression and market adjustments that together increase FY2026 employee costs about $21 million across funds.","actionData","errors"]

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Council directs outreach on Route 5 major service change, launches fare equity study and asks staff to evaluate transit funding options

City manager warns of $27–28 million FY2026 operating gap; proposes critical needs and public engagement

Tucson manager unveils multi‑year compensation plan; targets in‑range pay for 896 employees and performance reviews