By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona State Senate is reviewing Senate Bill (SB) 1091, which would require school district election ballots to include clear information on potential property tax reductions if voters reject budget overrides or bond measures.
The bill, which was sponosored by Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-LD15), aims to provide greater transparency for voters when deciding on school funding measures that involve secondary property taxes.
Arizona school districts can request budget overrides or bond authorizations when additional funding is needed beyond state-imposed limits. These measures are often funded by secondary property tax levies and must be approved by voters in district-wide elections.
Currently, school district ballots already include estimated tax rates for proposed overrides or bonds. However, SB 1091 would require ballots to explicitly state the estimated property tax reduction that would occur if voters reject the proposal, allowing taxpayers to see the potential financial impact.
If passed, the legislation would mandate that ballots for school district funding elections include an estimated average reduction in secondary property taxes if the budget override or bond measure is not approved and the exact date when the tax reduction would take effect.
This requirement would apply to budget override continuation elections, where districts seek to maintain higher spending limits through secondary property taxes as well as bond authorization continuation elections, which determine whether a district can continue issuing and selling bonds at the same tax rate in future years.
The bill also includes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes but does not impose any anticipated fiscal impact on the state’s general fund.
Supporters argue that SB 1091 enhances voter transparency, ensuring residents fully understand the tax implications of school district funding decisions. Critics, however, worry that emphasizing potential tax reductions on ballots could sway voters against approving necessary education funding.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
