Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tolleson public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
26 issues with high priority
Fiscal Year 2027 Final Budget
Before the next city budget is drafted, the council is stepping back to figure out what it actually wants to prioritize. The outcomes of this discussion will steer how Tolleson funds services like public safety, parks, and infrastructure in the coming year.
Owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program
The city wants another $500,000 in federal CDBG money to keep fixing roofs, ACs and unsafe electrical for low-income homeowners — about ten homes a year, with 16 people on the waitlist and a few hundred more homes needing repairs.
Expanded Lyft microtransit funding
Paratransit trips cost about $84 each versus about $30 for Ride Choice, and the gap can strain the budget. New one-call routing and Prop 479 rules should steer riders to the right service. The city has leftover Prop 400 equity funds to cover non-ADA trips next year.
Roughly $2 million in federal grants for multimodal path and regional wastewater
Congresswomen Ansari and Grijalva presented Tolleson with over $2 million in federal grant checks — one for a multi-modal path promoting healthy living, the other toward a regional wastewater plant benefiting Tolleson and partner cities.
2026 Community Grant Program funding
Third Friday events are back and drawing crowds — the next one is February 20 with Black History Month celebrations.
91st Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Construction
The city locked in the guaranteed maximum price to actually build the pedestrian bridge over the ag channel. This is a real infrastructure project moving from design to construction.
First responder suicide prevention
Teen Lifeline, marking 40 years, runs a teen-to-teen crisis hotline taking over 30,000 calls and texts a year, with one in three callers reporting thoughts of suicide. The city funds the organization, which is active in local schools.
Third Phoenix water interconnect
Tolleson has enough water even through drought and full build-out, but lacks treatment capacity for its SRP allotment. A new well tested at 3,500 gallons a minute (four times typical wells), and a proposed third Phoenix interconnect near 91st and Buckeye could add 2 million gallons a day — and could even lower rates if a major industrial user joins the system.
West Valley public transit gap
Vice Mayor Davis reported that Valley Metro transit investment is concentrated in the East Valley and the light rail extension was shifted away from the I-10 corridor, cutting off Southwest Valley access. He's pushing for a regional plan.
Emergency preparedness readiness
The city set up an emergency shelter at the Parks & Rec building for heat emergencies, bought 130 vehicle barricades to protect parade routes from vehicle attacks, installed visitor check-in systems at city buildings, and is pushing a panic-button app aiming for 750 community sign-ups this year.
Prostate cancer awareness and men's health screening
Four prostate cancer cases surfaced at the senior center, prompting a month-long awareness proclamation. Survivor Ramon Serrano, 73, delivered an emotional plea for men — especially Hispanic men — to get the simple PSA blood test instead of avoiding the doctor.
Costco expansion rezone near 91st Avenue and Buckeye Road
Costco wants to add a former JBS parcel to its existing store site, mostly for parking. Rezoning it to Light Industrial actually restricts what could be built there — heavy industrial uses the PAD zoning would have allowed are now off the table.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Agreement
The new $5 million Filanc contract lets the city knock out smaller wastewater projects faster, starting with a backup final clarifier for redundancy. The plant is a shared regional cost and benefit.
City-owned land sale at 91st and Van Buren
The city sold a corner lot for $1 million with a deed-restricted commitment to a 30,000+ square-foot grocery store — a top resident ask. Developer protections let the city reclaim the property if the store never materializes.
PSPRS Pension Funding Policy
Tolleson's police and fire pension funds are at 101% and 99.6% funded — years ahead of the 2036 target — which also cuts the city's annual contribution costs.
Grocery store development agreement
The city has been trying for years to land a full-size grocery store, and the chain in talks wants 40-45,000 square feet — more than the CORE district's current 30,000-square-foot cap allows. The recommended ordinance change would clear that hurdle for a site at 91st Avenue and Van Buren.
Van Buren Street Pedestrian Bridge funding
The city needs a small parcel from the high school district to land a pedestrian bridge over Van Buren Street, where thousands of students cross daily amid traffic near-misses. The district rejected the city's full-price offer, so the council authorized eminent domain if needed — with $3.5 million in city funding covering the whole project.
Extended Senior Center Hours and Food Programs
Three positive COVID tests at the senior center prompted a closure through August 17. Meals, rental and utility assistance are still available by appointment, curbside, or home delivery, and the city is handing out tests and N95 masks.
Certification of July 2026 Primary Election Results
Three council seats were decided outright in the July 21 primary, so no general election is needed for council. Davis, Erives, and Ruiz each cleared the 274-vote majority threshold out of 667 ballots cast.
School Resource Officer funding for elementary schools
The district lost its state School Safety Grant, so the city is footing the roughly $153,561 bill for a 10-month officer assignment. Council members said campus security is essential and pledged to help find replacement funding.
Regional Transit Funding Under Proposition 479
The state may stop funding fixed bus Route 17, and the popular microtransit program is exceeding its budget — the city has $650,000 in the plan to cover gaps and is pushing MAG for a regional fix.
FY 2027 Property Tax Levy
The council locked in next year's property tax rates with no increase — primary at 1.5204 and secondary at 1.1556 per $100 of assessed value. The mayor called it one of the lowest rates in the West Valley and the state.
Police Department Modernization and 30x30 Initiative
The police department reported a record 10 women officers once academy recruits graduate, big drug and gun seizures from its CAT team, homeless outreach through Hand in Hand, and a two-year clock to earn Arizona law enforcement accreditation.
Aquatic Center Construction Ahead of Schedule
The new aquatic center — with lazy river, slides, and competition pool — is under construction and ahead of schedule, giving a weather buffer. The city hopes swim meets will bring visitors who eat and stay locally.
Tolleson Aging in Place Strategy for General Plan Update
ASU students built an award-winning plan for helping Tolleson seniors stay in their homes: better walkability, more shade and cooling centers, affordable and assisted-living housing, better transit, and food access. The Mayor committed to working these ideas into the General Plan update.
Tolleson General Plan Update
Tolleson is kicking off a 13-month update to its General Plan, the blueprint for how the city grows over the next decade or two. Residents will get a questionnaire in June, bilingual workshops, drop-in events, and a chance to serve on a community advisory committee.