City of Flagstaff Proposition 404 — 0.5% Transaction Privilege (Sales) Tax for Public Safety (15 years) (Coconino County)

What it does

A measure referred to the people by the Flagstaff City Council to levy a Transaction Privilege Tax (sales tax) dedicated to enhance public safety services at a rate of 0.5%, commencing on July 1, 2027, for a period of 15 years ending June 30, 2042 A YES vote shall have the effect of approving a levy of a sales tax at a rate of 0.5% to be in effect for a period of 15 years beginning July 1, 2027, to enhance public safety. A NO vote shall have the effect of not approving a levy of a sales tax at a rate of 0.5% to be in effect for a period of 15 years beginning July 1, 2027, to enhance public safety.

A YES vote means

Flagstaff would levy a 0.5% sales tax for public safety services for 15 years, from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2042.

A NO vote means

Flagstaff would not levy the 0.5% public safety sales tax.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

According to the City of Flagstaff's publicity pamphlet, the City Council named public safety a budget priority in January 2025 and directed staff to form a Public Safety Citizen Committee, which met from November 2025 through May 2026 and narrowed identified needs of over $500 million to about $328 million.

The committee recommended a 0.5% sales tax for ongoing public safety services plus a separate $40 million bond for equipment and facilities (Proposition 405 on the same ballot); the Council referred both to voters.

The pamphlet says the tax would raise an average of $18.2 million a year, about 37% of it paid by visitors, raising the city's base rate from 2.486% to 2.986% and supporting up to 77 new positions in Fire, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Police and Emergency Management.

The pamphlet prints arguments both for and against the proposition as submitted by members of the public.

Put on the ballot by Flagstaff City Council (referred measure), on the recommendation of the Public Safety Citizen Committee, 2026.

From official source.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Coconino County ballots

• City of Flagstaff Proposition 405 — Public Safety General Obligation Bonds ($40,000,000)
• City of Page Proposition 406 — Citizen Initiative: Lake Powell Boulevard Lanes (City Code Chapter 74)

All Coconino County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Flagstaff Proposition 404 mean?

Flagstaff would levy a 0.5% sales tax for public safety services for 15 years, from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2042.

What does a NO vote on City of Flagstaff Proposition 404 mean?

Flagstaff would not levy the 0.5% public safety sales tax.

How many votes does City of Flagstaff Proposition 404 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Flagstaff Proposition 404?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.