Taxpayers in Maricopa County can anticipate some relief on their property taxes this coming year. In a move aimed at responding to the economic pressure faced by families across the state, the County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a cut in the property tax rate for the fourth consecutive year. The FY 2025 county budget, trimmed by 11%, prioritizes public safety, election administration, workforce development, and heat relief, despite an overall decrease in spending, as reported by Maricopa County on its official website.
"This is a budget that supports future growth and quality-of-life issues while guarding against the possibility of an economic downturn," Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers stated, "And because we have budgeted conservatively in the past, we can cut the tax rate, and still make significant investments in high-priority areas such as public safety, election administration, workforce development, and heat relief." Maricopa County, known for its conservative budgeting approach, finds itself in a better position than many to handle economic challenges, thanks to its careful fiscal management.
The newly approved budget sets the property tax rate at 1.16, or $116 per $100,000 of assessed home value. This represents a decrease from the 2021 rate of 1.4. The county's economic strategy also includes paying down unfunded pension liabilities, which has led to financial benefits and reduced the pension debt burden on taxpayers for FY 2025 and beyond.
"We are taxing less and spending less this year, and yet we are still providing our residents with exceptional customer service," according to Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin, "Whether that’s through a new online permitting system, improvements to our animal shelters, or giving people safe, secure, and convenient ways to vote in this year’s elections." With a focus on efficiency, Maricopa County operates with one of the lowest employee-to-resident ratios in the nation and continues to invest in public health and economic recovery efforts using federal money received post-pandemic from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Among the major capital projects included in the FY 2025 budget are a new West Valley Animal Shelter, parks and library improvements, a remodel of the Southwest Juvenile Detention Facility, the construction of a new downtown elections center, and a $29 million allocation to support the 2024 primary and general elections. Local economist Jim Rounds praised the county's budgeting efforts, noting, "This has been the most formal, conservative, responsible practice that I've seen of any government entity," as mentioned in Maricopa County's press release.
For more comprehensive details on the FY 2025 Maricopa County budget, readers can visit the official announcement here.
