PHOENIX – On Monday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a tax increase and budget increase. The Board unanimously approved the final $3.071 billion budget for fiscal year 2021.
The final vote on the budget levy changes is scheduled for August 17.
The Board ignored calls to reduce property tax rates in light of the fact that despite the economic impact of COVID-19, property valuations have increased.
The Board was forced by Arizona statute to hold a “Truth In Taxation” hearing due to the expected increase in taxes resulting from the increased valuations.
Last week, Rodney Glassman, Republican candidate for Maricopa County Assessor, called on the Supervisors to lower the Primary Tax Rate ahead of their “Truth-In-Taxation” hearing.
Glassman joined a list of public officials who recognize the hardships faced by taxpayers and the need to keep taxes as low as possible at this time.
“In February, the appointed County Assessor sent a postcard to more than 1.5 million property owners increasing their assessed property values — which raises our tax bill if the Supervisors do not lower the rate. In these difficult economic times, they should be cutting the tax rate so that no one is paying higher taxes,” explained Glassman at the time. “
Excerpt From Truth in Taxation Hearing- County (primary tax)
In compliance with section 42-17107, Arizona Revised Statutes, Maricopa County is notifying its property taxpayers of Maricopa County’s intention to raise its primary property taxes over last year’s level. Maricopa County is proposing an increase in primary property taxes of $18,565,283 or 3.1%.
Glassman cites as an example, the fact that the “proposed tax increase will cause Maricopa County’s primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to be $140.09. Without the proposed tax increase, the total taxes that would be owed on a $100,000 home would have been $135.92. This proposed increase is exclusive of increased primary property taxes received from new construction. The increase is also exclusive of any changes that may occur from property tax levies for voter approved bonded indebtedness or budget and tax overrides.”
New investments in FY 2021 include projects such as:
- The Southeast Regional Justice Center and the Sheriff’s Office Avondale Substation
- Additional staff in jails and probation officers
- Improvements to the regional park system
- An increase in dollars for animal control enforcement in unincorporated areas