FLAGSTAFF — The city of Flagstaff’s voters (the electorate of Flagstaff) passed Proposition 414 (Flagstaff’s Minimum Wage Law), a voter initiative, with 54 percent of the vote in November 2016. Proposition 414 was amended by a supermajority of the Flagstaff City Council on March 21, 2017. As passed, the City Council amendment slowed the rate at which the minimum wage increased and it will not reach $15.50 until 2022.
In November 2018, Proposition 418, also a voter initiative, was put on the city ballot asking the voters to bring Flagstaff’s minimum wage in line with the State of Arizona’s minimum wage (Proposition. 206). Proposition. 418 failed with 56 percent voting “yes” to keep Proposition 414 in place.
Beginning in 2008, the state of Arizona cut funding to disabled service providers in response to the great recession. This systemic underfunding coupled with the local minimum wage increase has put local service providers in a perilous position. There are a few measures under consideration at the State Capital to address the unique funding shortages to these service providers. One of these measures would target the city of Flagstaff’s state shared revenue, which directly feeds into the city’s general fund. Targeting these funds puts the entire city’s budget at risk. The city’s general fund is used for a range of services from critical public safety measures to Library operations.
The City of Flagstaff is aware of criticisms from some at the Capital about public policy choices made by the electorate in Flagstaff. These criticisms ignore the historic underfunding of disabled service providers that has occurred across the state. Flagstaff has been and remains an active partner with the state to attempt to address the difficult circumstances of disabled service providers.
“While there are several measures under consideration at the State Capital to address the funding shortfall for disabled service providers in our community, it is entirely inappropriate for the state to circumvent the results of a citizen initiative and punish the city,” said Mayor Coral Evans. “By targeting our state shared revenues to address the needs of one vulnerable population they are putting others at risk who rely on these funds.”
For more details on the city’s minimum wage please visit: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/3520/Minimum-Wage.