Phoenix TIP Subcommittee hears parks master plan update; public commenters press for 3PI accounting and audits

The Phoenix Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee received an update on the Parks and Recreation master plan and heard multiple public commenters demanding detailed accounting and audits of the city’s 3PI (parks) funds.

Director Whitfield and consultants from Pros Consulting summarized outreach and assessment work completed since the master plan began in September 2024. Consultant Mike Spetz said the team has conducted park assessments and broad community engagement, listing roughly 117 events, nearly 4,500 interactive mapping responses, more than 1,100 completed household surveys from a statistically valid sample, and over 8,000 website survey responses. Spetz said key themes from engagement and assessments include strong overall support for parks, concerns about safety and restroom cleanliness or access, and a citywide need for more shade and improved access to water.

Spetz previewed level-of-service mapping that identifies geographic gaps in access to recreation centers, pools and amenities, and said the team will align cost estimates and capital prioritization with the city’s five‑year plan and the planned 2028 bond program. He told members the consultants assessed 29 parks as part of the master-plan phase and said staff will provide district cross-tabulations on request.

During public comment, multiple speakers raised allegations about the handling of 3PI funds. Jerry Van Gass told the subcommittee that after an agreement to repay $17 million, the public was promised monthly 3PI balance sheets; he said recent statements show about $11 million while the CIP lists roughly $32 million of planned spending next year and asked how the numbers reconcile. Steven Bridal said he has worked with residents raising concerns about “missing money” and irregularities and urged the subcommittee to follow the law; he added, “I think there might be some criminal activity here, but we'll leave that up to the Attorney General or the FBI.” Jeremy Thacker and Tim Serkowski echoed calls for transparency, saying oversight has been insufficient and pressing the city to produce the two checking accounts that hold 3PI money and full transaction-level records.

Council members asked for more district-level detail and asked staff to return cross-tabulations and the individual park assessments for specified districts. Vice Mayor Hodge Washington and other members said they would like the consultant and staff to provide the assessment materials; Parks staff committed to provide the requested park assessments and district breakdowns for review.

Votes at a glance: the subcommittee approved the TIP meeting minutes from 12/17/2026 and carried two consent items—approval of historic preservation exterior rehabilitation grants and authorization for aviation financial advisory services—by unanimous voice vote.

Next steps: consultants said they will continue strategic integration of findings, produce level-of-service and equity analyses, provide requested cross-tabulations by council district, and return to the subcommittee with additional technical findings and materials in coming months, including town halls and public reporting tied to the master-plan schedule.