Friday, May 15, 2026
The Honorable Warren Petersen
President, Arizona State Senate
The Honorable Steve Montenegro
Speaker, Arizona House of Representatives
The Honorable David Farnsworth
Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee
The Honorable David Livingston
Chairman, House Appropriations Committee
Arizona State Legislature
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Re: FY27 Stabilization Funding for Arizona’s Statewide 911 System
Dear President Petersen, Speaker Montenegro, Chairman Farnsworth, Chairman Livingston, and Members of Legislative Leadership:
On behalf of the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association (ASA), we write to express our support for the inclusion of one-time stabilization funding in the FY27 budget for Arizona’s statewide 911 system (AZ911).
Sheriffs throughout Arizona rely on the integrity and reliability of the state’s emergency communications system every day. Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) serve as the critical first point of contact between the public and first responders during emergencies, and any disruption to call-handling capacity or system reliability has the potential to directly impact emergency response operations across the state.
We understand the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) has identified a projected funding shortfall that may result in a substantial reduction in grant support for local PSAP operations in the upcoming fiscal year. From a public safety perspective, maintaining continuity in emergency communications and dispatch operations are essential to ensuring reliable law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical response for Arizona communities.
ASA supports consideration of a one-time FY27 appropriation to stabilize local PSAP funding and avoid near-term operational disruptions while stakeholders continue evaluating the long-term sustainability of Arizona’s 911 funding structure.
As policymakers consider future options, ASA believes it is important that discussions remain collaborative, transparent, and informed by comprehensive operational and fiscal analysis. We encourage continued engagement among ADOA, local governments, public safety agencies, and legislative leadership to evaluate long-term system needs and identify sustainable solutions that preserve reliable emergency communications statewide.
Arizona’s sheriffs remain committed to working collaboratively with state and local partners to ensure Arizona’s emergency response infrastructure remains dependable, resilient, and capable of meeting the needs of our growing state.
Thank you for your consideration and continued support of public safety.
Sincerely,
David Clouse
President
Navajo County Sheriff
cc: The Honorable John Kavanagh, Majority Leader, Arizona State Senate
The Honorable Kevin Payne, Arizona State Senate
The Honorable Priya Sundareshan, Senate Minority Leader
The Honorable Oscar De Los Santos, House Minority Leader
Media inquiries: 602-252-6563 or via the Media Center.
