by Matthew Holloway | May 27, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (MCBOS) has released a “Truth in Taxation Notice,” announcing that it will hold a hearing on June 23rd as part of its annual budget process. The new budget will lower the combined primary and secondary “overall tax rate.” However, the primary property tax rate is remaining flat which would increase homeowners’ property taxes due to the increase in property values in Maricopa County.
According to the County Supervisors, the FY 2026 Budget “lowers the overall tax rate” and “is $269.5 million below the maximum amount allowed by state law, meaning the county collects less in taxes than it could.” But as stated in the notice, it would increase the primary property tax levy by 1.81%, raising homeowners’ property taxes on a $100,000 house from $113.85 to $115.91. The Maricopa County Truth in Taxation Calculation factors the current primary property tax levy, and the net assessed valuation, excluding the value of new construction. The Maricopa County Truth in Taxation Calculation factors the current primary property tax levy, and the net assessed valuation, excluding the value of new construction, which appears to generate the net decrease in the overall tax.
The release from the MCBS also provided a disclaimer stating that, “The Board does not control property values. However, as property values increase, the tax levy for existing property owners will also increase. And as a result, some property owners may be subject to a slight tax increase due to positive property value market adjustments in a growing economy.”
In a statement released with the preliminary budget on May 19th Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin, District 2 said, “I promised as Chairman that we would be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, and with this budget, we are showing how government can run efficiently and effectively to enhance public safety and promote economic prosperity. This budget ensures Maricopa County won’t just weather the storm of economic uncertainty but will thrive. And I’m pleased to be keeping a promise to improve compensation for the courageous and dedicated members of MCSO.”
The County Supervisors stated that they were able to “decrease the property tax rate slightly, bringing the overall rate to 1.348, down 0.37% from the prior year.” The new budget per the board does not decrease existing programs and services.
Supervisor Mark Stewart, District 1 stressed, “While many counties are imposing taxes at the maximum rate permitted under state law, Maricopa County’s tax levy remains $269.5 million below that limit. Our approach is not limited to reduced taxation—we’re also delivering significant cost savings through greater operational efficiency, such as moving county personnel out of expensive leased spaces, while also investing in public safety and making our parks more enjoyable for all Maricopa County residents.”
“The County’s conservative budgeting philosophy has long protected county taxpayers from potential economic downtowns or unanticipated costs,” Vice Chair Kate Brophy McGee, District 2 added. “I’m proud to vote for such a responsible budget that puts money where it matters—with nearly 50% going to public safety.”
Supervisor Debbie Lesko, District 4 emphasized the board’s partnership with Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan in developing the budget, stating “The best way to keep our communities safe and crack down on criminal activity is to fully support our law enforcement professionals, not just with words, but with action. Over the past few months, the Board has worked in partnership with Sheriff Sheridan and our Human Resources and Budget teams on a fiscally responsible plan to boost compensation for MCSO patrol and detention staff. I’m looking forward to finalizing those details before the approval of a final budget in June.”
Editor’s Note – This article was updated to accurately reflect the distinction between the tax rate which the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors controls, and the overall tax levy which is a combination of property values and the property tax rate.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 5, 2025 | Economy, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans highlighted their state’s low tax rate after a recent signing of a baseball star with the hometown team.
Late last month, Corbin Burnes, a free agent pitching star, decided to sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks, shocking most onlookers, who had predicted that he would likely end up with another Major League Baseball suiter.
One report shared that Burnes made his decision based on Arizona’s lower tax rate. Burnes had been wooed by the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants – two jurisdictions with significantly higher taxes than the Grand Canyon State.
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen said, “Sports players choose AZ over other states because our taxes are lower. Businesses do the same.”
Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey added, “I’ll be looking forward to watching Corbin Burnes in a Dbacks jersey next year – and very glad to see that Arizona’s lowest flat tax in the nation is what brought him to AZ! Sorry Gavin Newsom [&] Justin Trudeau!”
Burnes had been reportedly offered more money by the aforementioned teams before deciding to ink a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
According to a post on X, the top tax rate in California is 14.4%, and the top federal and provincial tax rate in Toronto, Ontario is 53.53%. Arizona’s tax rate is 2.5% in comparison.
Arizona owes its low tax rate to the work of Governor Ducey and legislative Republicans, who enacted the transformational tax bracket in 2021.
Two staunch free-market advocates, Tim Phillips (President of Americans for Prosperity) and Grover Norquist (President of Americans for Tax Reform), wrote a piece in Newsweek, praising the accomplished feat of the Arizona Legislature, spearheaded by State Senator J.D. Mesnard and Ducey. They stated, “Arizona, on the other hand, provides a good example: lower the tax rates to let people keep more of what they earn and invest in what they care about most. Limit government spending to grow no faster than the incomes of the citizens who pay the taxes. Create a magnet for job-creating investment and hardworking Americans who simply wish to be left alone to work hard, take care of their families and support their communities.”
Phillips and Norquist added, “The Arizona reform is a positive model and one that should be followed by other states and the federal government.”
When the Arizona Supreme Court gave the green light for these tax reforms to go into effect, Arizona Free Enterprise President Scot Mussi said, “Today’s decision from the Arizona Supreme Court is a big win for taxpayers in our state. The legislature passed historic tax cuts last year that benefit all Arizona taxpayers. It’s time for Invest in Arizona and out-of-state special interest groups to accept this reality and stop making a farce of the referendum process.”
Mesnard touted the progress of his historic legislation in a campaign newsletter in January 2023, saying, “The historic tax reform that I championed in 2021 is now in effect for income earned this year – a full year ahead of schedule thanks to strong government revenues. Valued at more than $2 billion, this reform reduced individual tax rates to 2.5%, resulting in a tax cut for every single Arizona family and Arizona having the lowest flat tax in the nation.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Dec 16, 2024 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Funding Committee (PSFC) presented its findings last week and has recommended that it pursue a 20-year extension of the existing voter-approved tax rate of 1/5th of a cent, set to expire in 2027. It also recommended the expansion of various partnerships to address the funding needs of adult and juvenile correctional facilities, correctional healthcare, and other county programs.
According to a press release from the Board of Supervisors, Chairman Jack Sellers said, “Providing for public safety is a core function of our government, and how we fund those efforts should be transparent and open to public feedback. We established the PSFC to ensure a wide range of views are considered as we determine how to prioritize and pay for evolving public safety needs. I’m grateful for the committee’s diligent work and look forward to a thorough review of their recommendations.”
The committee, established in January, conducted a series of public hearings, toured existing jail facilities, and interviewed several figures within the system before brining its recommendations for long-term funding and other changes to several established policies.
The Board of Supervisors largely appeared to concur with the recommendation to extend the funding, with Supervisors Clint Hickman, Bill Gates, and Steve Gallardo voicing support. Hickman said, “The Jail Excise Tax brings in about $300 million in revenue per year and has been an effective way of funding our public safety needs as the county grows, at a low burden to the individual taxpayer.”
He added, “I agree with the committee’s recommendation that an extension of the tax, at the current rate, is the best way to make sure we continue to live in a safe community where people can thrive economically.”
The 165-page report detailed policy recommendations touching “Reentry, Community Services and Coordination, Programming and Courts, Capital, and Data and Long-Term Initiatives.”
The Committee explained:
“In the first category, they suggested pursuing partnerships for crime prevention and reentry, engaging with the state on Medicaid waivers for pre-trial and pre-release individuals, and engaging in efforts to strengthen the behavioral health system.
The second category focused on maintaining funding for probation and diversion programs, upholding treatment standards, coordinating Initial Appearance Hearings with the City of Phoenix, and discussing juvenile placement policies.”
In addition it recommended replacing outdated facilities, improving the county’s Intake, Transfer and Release facility, enhancing security at the Durango campus, and addressing shortages in the county’s correction workforce.
Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin noted, “The PSFC engaged with residents and key stakeholders honestly and openly over the past year, and now with their recommendations, we can move forward in a united manner to keep our streets safe and support our law enforcement officers.
Chaired by John Lewis, the former mayor of Gilbert and CEO of East Valley Partnership, the committee is composed of nine community members from fields ranging from law enforcement, correctional health, criminal justice, government, and business.
As noted by KTAR News, the Board of Supervisors may agree with the extension of the Jail Excise Tax, and could lobby for it, but it has very little choice in the matter. Ultimately Maricopa County cannot place it on the ballot. That power falls to the Arizona Legislature and the sitting governor to pass and sign into law.
Given the past disconnect between the Republican-dominated Arizona Legislature and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs, it is uncertain how successful any effort to extend an existing tax would be, or how well received it would be by the voters.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
