El Mirage adopts $114.16 million FY 2025-26 budget; property tax rate set to fall, levy to be finalized June 3

The El Mirage Common Council adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 spending limitation and final budget at $114,162,000 in a special meeting on May 20, 2025. The action, approved by the council, followed a public hearing on the proposed property tax levies and a staff presentation from Macy.

Macy told the council the primary property tax rate would reflect new growth with a decrease of 0.0508 and that the secondary rate would decrease 0.0974; the secondary levy is restricted by statute to pay bonded debt. Staff said the residential share of the levy composition decreased 4 percent compared with last year and, on average, residents will see a decrease in property taxes. Macy summarized the final budget as roughly $114.16 million, a 3 percent decrease from the prior year, and said capital and personnel services make up about 65 percent of citywide expenditures.

Councilmembers commended staff for producing a budget that lowers the tax rate; one councilmember said the city has reduced tax rates for several consecutive years. Macy noted next steps: the council adopted the spending limitation and final budget at the special meeting; the property tax levy will be formally adopted June 3, 2025.

The council approved resolution R25-05-10 to set the spending limitation and adopt the final budget. The public hearing on levies closed with no public testimony at the meeting.