The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $2.2 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, roughly $89 million lower than the county currently spends. The budgeted property tax levy is $171 million lower than the maximum levy allowed by law.
Maricopa County’s FY ‘14 budget is $2,208,474,790. The Board “balanced the desire to lower property taxes with the increasing needs of the organization, especially criminal justice and law enforcement” according to a statement released Wednesday.
The budget also includes a merit-based salary increase for county employees who have gone without permanent adjustments for six years. The merit-based increase will address particular salary concerns among law enforcement and justice professionals as well as health care workers, where county employees have been leaving for other public and private agencies.
The Board say their “budget is good for county taxpayers, those who depend on county services, and for the County’s valued employees.” Budget staff trimmed spending, eliminated operating contingencies, reduced capital spending and implemented various cuts throughout the county. Public safety remains the county’s largest expenditure.
County-controlled taxes make up only 12 percent of a total property tax bill. The county-controlled portion has decreased by 21% over the past four tax years. Most of the property tax revenues fund public schools, many cities, community colleges, the Maricopa Integrated Health System and special districts, which are not controlled by the county government.