TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The City of South Tucson is considering several options to restructure its fire department, including a complete merger with neighboring departments, as it faces ongoing staffing and funding shortages.

South Tucson has seen several large fires in recent years, including one that destroyed a feed store in January and several months later, the Old Spanish Trail motel.

With a population of less than 5,000 people and an area no larger than one square mile, South Tucson Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela said the city has often faced funding challenges.

“We don’t have a lot of resources in South Tucson; a lot of revenues are not coming in so we have to keep that in mind,” Valenzuela said.

Despite passing a 2024 ballot measure that would raise more than $6 million in city tax

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