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TUCSON - On Wednesday, the Tucson City Council will talk again about what it will do if voters refuse to increase the city's sales tax.

Proposition 400, which will be on the ballot in November, would bring in money the city says it needs to keep everyday services up to par.

The city says the so-called core tax would generate $40 million a year to maintain police, fire, parks, court services, and transportation.

If it fails, all city departments have been told to prepare for a 15 percent budget cut. City Court officials say that would be devastating to them.

On Tuesday morning, City Court's courtroom 2 is packed with people charged with misdemeanors including DUI, domestic violence, and traffic tickets.

Court officials say 225,000 people were adjudicated here last year by 135 court employees.

Presiding Magistrate Tony Riojas says 27 workers will lose their jobs if Proposition 400 fails, including 3 judges.

Riojas says, "We contribute to public safety and it's important we continue what we do."

Riojas says City Court's probation department would be eliminated. Without that followup he fears, "You could end up with more people committing domestic violence."

Courthouse security would be cut. Riojas says, "If you ever come to court in the morning, we have long lines to get in. Like the airport, now the lines are going to get longer."

And Riojas says it would take longer for victims to get court orders of protection.

An alleged victim who did not want to be identified says, "It's disheartening to know that the people who are supposed to be there to protect us are not going to be there to intervene when it may be necessary."

Shaun McClusky heads the No on 400 Committee. He isn't convinced City Court needs to make deep cuts. He says, "It's a continuation of the scare tactic."

Instead of cutting courts, McClusky says, "Cut waste first. We have areas in our budget currently that we are simply wasting money."

Specifically, he suggests combining department heads. He says, "They're getting paid the most salary. If we need to cut places, let's cut there."

The city council meets on Wednesday.