While other counties are not experiencing the same economic growth but are taxing as much as they are allowed by state law, Maricopa County’s tax levy is $140.5 million below the maximum.
On Monday, the Board of Supervisors approved a final budget of $2.57 billion for fiscal year 2020.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates, District 3, called the budget “fiscally responsible and sustainable,” while keeping the “tax rate steady for our residents while investing in the kinds of technology and infrastructure that works to serve citizens better.”
Recent numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show Maricopa County added 81,244 people between July 2017 and July 2018, the most of any county in the nation. The FY 2020 budget allocates $296.9 million for capital improvement projects which will modernize the infrastructure needed to support that growing population. Those projects include multi-million dollar investments in county parks; a new East Valley animal shelter; and a new substation for the Sheriff’s Office in Avondale.
The budget also provides continued funding for the new jail intake facility, Southeast Regional Justice Center, Central Court building, and 225 Madison renovation project, which will turn an old jail into modern, usable office space.
“These investments include strengthening public safety, improving the voter experience, preserving and enhancing our open space, and utilizing technology and process improvement to save money and make our county government more efficient while providing better service. I am grateful to my colleagues on the Board and to all departments for budgeting in a way that plans for, and protects, the future,” said Gates.
The budget reserves funding for updated elections equipment that is expected to increase the speed with which votes can be counted.
“Making our elections the best they can be is a priority of every person on this Board,” said Vice Chairman Clint Hickman, District 4. “Modern, reliable equipment is essential for a county of our size so we can efficiently handle the potential record number of voters participating in our democracy in the 2020 elections and beyond.”
“I am proud to be part of the team that continues to pass budgets that protect our taxpayers while serving the needs of our ever-growing county population,” said Supervisor Jack Sellers, District 1. “This budget will assure the protection and well-being of our citizens. I’m pleased the tax rate won’t change nor is the county required to take on debt to fund operations.”
“We live in the most dynamic county in the United States where people tend to have a lower cost of living and pay less for government services than they do in other large metropolitan areas, while also having access to diverse job and recreational opportunities,” said Supervisor Steve Chucri, District 2. “This budget supports the Maricopa County of the future by building on a great foundation of innovative planning and fiscal intelligence to move us forward.”
The budget includes:
$1.5 million to continue the current model of animal shelter operations that has resulted in a 95% save rate
$1.5 million for process and technology improvements that support the strategic goal of becoming an all-digital county by 2022
$100,000 to update unincorporated area plans for the next generation