Tucson Voters to Decide on Reid Park Zoo Tax Renewal

Residents will vote on a 0.1% sales tax renewal that would fund Reid Park Zoo for twenty years.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Wildlife

Tucson Voters to Decide on Reid Park Zoo Tax Renewal

Live Poll

Would you support a 20-year sales tax renewal to fund local zoo operations and improvements?

Tucson voters face a ballot measure that would renew a 0.1% sales tax to support the Reid Park Zoo through 2047. The tax, which would run from January 2028 through December 2047, provides nearly one-third of the facility's annual operating budget.

Why it matters

The measure ensures continued funding for animal care, facility maintenance, and a partnership with the University of Arizona's veterinary school. Local officials emphasize that the revenue is critical for planned habitat expansions for lions, giraffes, and rhinos.

The proposed 0.1% sales tax equates to 1 cent per $10 spent and is projected to generate between $15 million and $17 million annually. Data indicates that 42% of Tucson residents visited the zoo over the past year.

The players

Reid Park Zoo

This facility is a major public zoo in Tucson that relies on municipal funding for operations and habitat maintenance.

University of Arizona

This public research university maintains a veterinary school partnership with the local zoo.

The details

The funding supports essential capital improvements and day-to-day operations at the zoo while maintaining affordability for visitors. Proposition 422 appears exclusively on the ballot for Tucson residents, following a 2017 approval of a 10-year measure.

Voters approved the previous 10-year tax measure in 2017.
The proposed 20-year sales tax period begins in January 2028.
The proposed 20-year sales tax period ends in December 2047.

Culture Shift

The move reflects a long-term commitment to public-private partnerships in urban wildlife management. By extending the 2017 Reid Park Zoo tax measure, the city solidifies the zoo as a central component of regional civic infrastructure.

If passed, the 0.1% sales tax will impact daily purchasing decisions for residents by adding 1 cent to every $10 spent on taxable goods. This measure directly finances ongoing zoo improvements and ensures continued access to the city facility.

The takeaway

The ballot initiative represents a significant extension of municipal funding for a major local attraction. Residents should consider how the tax renewal aligns with their priorities for public infrastructure and animal welfare over the next twenty years.