Chamber Board of Directors Unanimously Votes to Prioritize Roadway Maintenance

The Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors has taken the official position to prioritize roadway maintenance projects.  The Board supports the Pima County Sales Tax Advisory Committee (STAC) recommendations to offset a dedicated ½ cent sales tax increase for roadway maintenance repairs with a reduction in property taxes for a period of 10-years.

The Chamber had active participation in developing this position in which former Board of Director Chairman Wendell Long served as Vice-Chair of the Committee alongside Robert Medler, the Tucson Metro Chamber’s Vice-President of Public Affairs.  Amber Smith, Tucson Metro Chamber President and CEO served on the counter committee, the Pima County Transportation Advisory Committee who identified selected roadways for repair using temporary funding.

The Board of Directors unanimously agreed that the lack of roadway maintenance is at an all-time critical level negatively impacting business. Secondarily to that, the Board of Directors also recognize that our current property tax levels puts Pima County at a competitive disadvantage compared to other counties within the State. In reviewing materials, the property tax offset creates the trade-off necessary for businesses to absorb an additional tax.  Instituting this ½ cent sales tax would result in an immediate 25 cent property tax reduction, with further reductions on the primary property tax levy over the next 10 years. Tucson Metro Chamber staff will continue to advocate for immediate, transparent and equitable solutions to our roadway maintenance crisis as this single issue is negatively impacting businesses of all sizes across the region.