On Nov. 3, Tucson residents will vote on Proposition 422, a measure that would extend the 0.1% sales tax that has funded Reid Park Zoo improvements since 2017. If approved, the tax would remain in effect from Jan. 1, 2028 through Dec. 31, 2047, allowing the zoo to continue expanding habitats and keeping admission prices low for families.
How the tax has been used
The original 10‑year sales tax, approved by voters in 2017, helped launch Phase 1 of the zoo’s master plan. Projects funded include a temple‑themed lagoon for Chilean flamingos, the World of Play sensory playground, and the upcoming “Pathway to Asia” expansion slated to open Nov. 13. The new expansion will house two Malayan tigers, a komodo dragon, gibbons, red pandas and the desert‑adapted sand cat.
According to Nancy Kluge, CEO of the Reid Park Zoological Society, 85% of Phase 1 costs have come from the tax, with the remaining 15% supplied by private donations. The zoo’s annual budget, supported by the tax, was estimated at $17.1 million in FY 2024 and is projected to rise to $18 million in FY 2025.
Benefits for families and low‑income residents
Proposition 422 would keep current reduced admission rates—$12.75 for adults and $9 for children—well below the Phoenix Zoo’s $45 adult price. Families receiving WIC or SNAP benefits already pay $2.50 per child and $6.50 per adult, and the tax extension would preserve those discounts.
The zoo also offers a culture pass through the Pima County Library, granting two free admissions per resident each year. Kluge notes that the tax has helped fund kindergarten field trips for Tucson schools, reinforcing the zoo’s role as an educational resource.
Future phases and animal care
Phase 2, described by Kluge as the most exciting, will redesign the Africa exhibit into a true savannah, giving elephants, giraffes and lions more space. The zoo plans to relocate its goats to local farms to make room for the redesign and to add new species such as warthogs and pygmy hippos in Phases 2 and 3.
Revenue from the tax has also allowed the zoo to employ two full‑time veterinarians, ensuring daily expert medical care for its residents. By demonstrating strong animal‑care standards, the zoo hopes to meet Association of Zoos and Aquariums requirements for taking in additional endangered species.
Public response and transparency
When temporary fences were erected around a duck pond in 2020, some Tucson residents expressed frustration over perceived lack of transparency. Zoo officials responded by holding community meetings, issuing mailers, and updating the “Future of Your Zoo” web page to keep neighbors informed about construction impacts.
There were no formal arguments submitted against Proposition 422 in the official voter pamphlet. Kluge acknowledges that without the tax, the zoo would need to consider raising admission prices, reducing animal numbers, or cutting free‑entry programs, but she stresses that animal care will never be compromised.
What voters need to know
Proposition 422 is a straightforward extension of an existing sales tax, not a new levy. Voters who support continued affordable access to the zoo, ongoing habitat upgrades, and the zoo’s conservation mission are encouraged to vote “Yes.” Those opposed to any tax increase can vote “No.” The measure will appear on the ballot alongside other local races and initiatives on Nov. 3.
Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.
