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Maricopa County Board adopts $3 trillion FY2026 budget, approves $12.2 million primary property tax levy increase
Summary
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a $12,233,134 increase in the county's primary property tax levy, while holding the combined tax rate flat; the board also adopted budgets for several county special districts and heard a public comment defending libraries.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Monday adopted a fiscal year 2026 budget of $3,001,076,905,199 and approved a $12,233,134 increase in the county's primary property tax levy, directing staff to submit the levy documentation to the property tax oversight commission.
The vote came after a public hearing and staff presentations on the final budget, which the county said keeps the combined tax rate flat while shifting contingency funds into department budgets to support priorities set by the board.
The budget adoption matters because it finalizes spending and directs how the county will fund core services for its roughly 4.5 million residents, including public safety, elections, public health and district services. County staff said the board structured the package to remain within the state's expenditure limits and to fund newly approved pay and retention measures for law enforcement and detention personnel.
County Chief Financial Officer Mike McGee and Deputy Budget Director Kirsten Prindle presented the final budget changes and said the board shifted $16,600,000 from contingency into sheriff's-office budgets and other line items. The board also adopted final budgets for several special districts, including the Flood Control District ($105,079,604), the Library District ($48,995,617) and the Stadium District ($9,750,000).
During the public hearing for the Library District, one speaker, Matt Sanders, praised library staff and opposed censorship efforts, telling the board he trusts library professionals on children's collections and urging parents to engage directly with their children rather than rely on government censorship.
Supervisors discussed revenue assumptions including the end of one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and slower growth in state-shared sales tax receipts, which staff said limited how far the board could cut the tax rate while funding the board's priorities. County staff emphasized ARPA money was treated as one-time revenue and must be spent by December 2026.
On procedural actions: the board moved and seconded the truth-in-taxation item that approved the $12,233,134 levy increase and later moved to adopt the full county budget and five-year capital improvement plan. Roll-call votes recorded unanimous approval of the tax levy and the budget adoption.
Less-critical details: staff said some contingency balances will remain available and that potential state funding for election-related technology remained uncertain pending final state budget actions.
Looking ahead, the Board plans to adopt the formal property tax levy on the scheduled property tax adoption date and will continue monitoring state revenue trends and federal funding expiration as it implements the FY2026 plan.
