Scottsdale is gearing up for a property-tax plot twist. City Council is set to weigh changes to the city’s primary property-tax levy and municipal streetlight improvement district levies at a public hearing on Tuesday, June 9, with a final vote slated for Tuesday, June 23 at the Kiva Forum in Scottsdale City Hall. City notices and budget papers indicate Scottsdale could pull in more total levy dollars even as the tax rate per $100 of assessed value nudges down. Residents will get their say at a Truth-in-Taxation hearing, as required under state law.
Notice of Proposed Primary Property Tax Levy Increase and Municipal Streetlight Improvement Districts’ Property Tax Levy Increase for FY 2026/27 https://x.com/i/status/2064437531316478005
— City of Scottsdale (@ScottsdaleAZGov) June 9, 2026
What the City Is Proposing
Scottsdale's preliminary written report estimates a combined property-tax rate for FY 2026/27 of $0.9068 per $100 of assessed valuation, slightly down from $0.9124 this year, while projecting a combined levy of about $77.99 million. The report shows the primary levy climbing to roughly $41.29 million, an increase of about $1.02 million, and the secondary levy rising to around $36.70 million for debt service, according to City of Scottsdale.
Why the Rate Can Fall While Collections Rise
The seemingly contradictory mix of a lower rate and higher haul comes from rising assessed values: when the tax base grows, the city can collect more money without cranking the rate up. Officials say the potential levy increase is driven mainly by the state’s two-percent statutory adjustment, and local coverage has broken down how growth in assessed values can let the rate slip even as total collections increase, as reported by Patch.
How to Watch and Weigh In
The public hearings on the proposed levies are scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, with formal adoption planned at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 23. Both meetings are set for the Kiva Forum at Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard. According to the city, the hearings will be carried on Cox Cable Channel 11 and streamed on ScottsdaleAZ.gov. Agendas, written reports and instructions for public participation are posted on the city’s public-notice page, per the city’s announcement.
Legal Notes
Under Arizona law, a Truth-in-Taxation hearing is required when a proposed primary levy, excluding growth, exceeds the prior year’s levy. Scottsdale says that threshold is met here, triggering the TNT process. The written report and public-notice packet spell out the required posting, publication and timing steps City Council must follow, according to City of Scottsdale.
