Meeting Time: June 17, 2020 at 2:30pm MST
Note: The online Request to Speak window has expired.
The online Comment window has expired

Agenda Item

24 Adoption of the Final 2020-21 Operating Funds Budget (Ordinance S-46715) ***ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SEE MEMO)***

  • Default_avatar
    Cari Frederick over 4 years ago

    I am voting to oppose this budget because of the $744 million being allocated to the police department. I believe that instead these funds should be redirected to programs and services that will help our community grow, such as mental health services, libraries, and resources for our houseless citizens, etc. By defunding the police the Phoenix City Council will being sending the message that they really do believe that black lives matter.

  • Default_avatar
    Ashley Carlson over 4 years ago

    I unequivocally OPPOSE the proposed budget that allocates only $242 million to housing, human services, and community development combined, and $745 million to the police for 2020-21. I am a Phoenix resident who has called Arizona home for more than 25 years with my entire family. Hear our voices that we do NOT want this budget instated. Represent us accurately for the betterment of our communities--which is achieved by providing resources for schools, mental health, etc.--NOT law enforcement.

  • Default_avatar
    Connor Erickson over 4 years ago

    Vote no on this budget. Police are grossly overfunded as is and PHX PD are among the most violent in the country. Divert that money to social programs and services that are badly underfunded. Citizens of Phoenix deserve better.

  • Default_avatar
    Samantha Hext over 4 years ago

    Please reallocate funds going to Phx PD to go to resources that will help better the community

  • Default_avatar
    Blake Flynn over 4 years ago

    I oppose the current city budget and would like to redirect funds from the Phoenix PD to other community services.

  • Default_avatar
    Mary Lou Moore over 4 years ago

    Please vote no on the police budget. People below who feel the same have said it very well. Let's redirect funds and respond to the educational, healthcare/mental and social needs of our city. Let's reduce the volume of police calls by getting to root causes.

  • Default_avatar
    Karen Olson over 4 years ago

    I demand that city council vote no for the 2020/21 budget on June 17th, 2020. Phoenix needs the budget to be allocated to community and economic development that includes housing and human services for community members indeed, not an increase in police funding. That $745 million dollar budget spent by the council on policing needs to be given to social services that will help to house our communities in need that have been displaced due to the current pandemic.

  • Default_avatar
    Megan G over 4 years ago

    Police “reform” & measures such as increase in body cameras + “de-escalation” training have proven to be ineffective & unsustainable long term, bc it does not address root causes (mental health, addiction, poverty) of crime in a meaningful way. We need to invest in community services, education, & healthcare. AZ is ranked 3rd WORST education system & PHX PD ranks highest for police killing civilians. By funding the PPD you are choosing to actively maintain to the school-to-prison pipeline in AZ.

  • Default_avatar
    Margaret Garcia over 4 years ago

    I oppose the current city budget & request that the council reconsiders this budget to increase spending for education and social services by cutting police funding. The PHX Police have shown they aren't serving their community or spending tax dollars wisely. At a time when we need to put resources into our schools to make them COVID safe, and respond to increasing community need for food, housing relief, and social services, I don't see how the current budget reflects our needs and priorities.

  • Default_avatar
    Diane Freibaum over 4 years ago

    Support funding of the Phx PD and public safetly budger as is.

  • Default_avatar
    Colette Webb over 4 years ago

    We must care for our communities proactively. It is irresponsible to continue to neglect public services while mass funding an incredibly violent police force.

  • Default_avatar
    Judy Greene over 4 years ago

    The bloated police budget needs to be reconsidered. The abnormally high rate of police involved shootings in Phoenix indicates serious problems in the department and arming officers with expensive military-style weapons is not addressing it. The community would be better served by reallocation of funds to address issues of mental health and homelessness. Heavy handed approaches create resentment.

  • Default_avatar
    Rachel HuerecaInsunza over 4 years ago

    I oppose this proposed budget and urge council members to vote NO on this measure. Instead we need more investment in our community. Let's put that money into education, community development, mental health and human services. Let's use this money to benefit and strengthen our community.

  • Default_avatar
    Reyna Marquez over 4 years ago

    The community needs this money. Spend that money hiring social workers to collaborate with the police like in Oregon. This money can feed so many children, fund libraries, housing, healthcare. The police department doesn’t need more tax payer money that in turn doesn’t benefit the tax payer at all.

  • Default_avatar
    Owen Evans over 4 years ago

    Education, healthcare, affordable housing and supportive community programs are more important than a militarized PD. Let’s invest in our community!

  • Ta-7
    Tory Roberg, Phx Resident - District 5 over 4 years ago

    The proposed budget does not reflect our community values. Everything needs to be re-examined and changed to reflect our priorities supporting people and communities, not hurting them with stockpiles of ammunition, riot gear and tear gas. Vote no and sit down with community leaders to develop a community-based budget.

  • Default_avatar
    Elizabeth Ejigu over 4 years ago

    This years budget must reflect the voice of the people of Phoenix. Our community deserves so much more than what we've been refused time and time again. Do not increase the budget of one of the deadliest police forces in the nation. Allocate funds to programs that aid the betterment of this city. Now is the time.

  • Default_avatar
    Krithi Vachaspati over 4 years ago

    The MILLIONS of dollars that go towards funding the racist Phoenix police must go towards funding social services such as: education, healthcare, affordable housing, and employment opportunities which actually keep communities healthy and safe. Defund the police and fund our communities!
    Black Lives Matter.

  • Default_avatar
    Olivia Miller over 4 years ago

    As we’ve seen other larger police departments such as the LAPD recently reduce their PD budgets and reallocate these sources into community endeavors, I feel the Phoenix PD is more than capable of also making this switch. Additionally, Phoenix PD could use some of the PD budget to hire non-police personnel to handle non violent calls such as social workers or mental health specialists. Please defund the Phoenix PD this is absurd how much money they receive in color is on to other departments.

  • Default_avatar
    John Batchan over 4 years ago

    Vote NO on $744 million for Phoenix Police! These funds should be applied toward health, education, housing, transportation, and so many other services to better our community. How can you sit by and continue to ignore the community? We have chanted outside your building during the worst heat waves, we have called your offices non-stop, and have constantly emailed you. We have been and will continue to be firm with this decision. Defund the police.