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Maricopa County adopts tentative FY26 budget; board highlights public safety, tax rate decreases and election funding risks
Summary
After a presentation by county budget staff, the Board of Supervisors approved a tentative FY26 county budget and separate tentative budgets for several special districts. Debate focused on mandated state payments, the jail excise tax, a longstanding federal settlement (Melendres), and election shared‑services risks that could cost up to $15M.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt a tentative fiscal year 2026 budget recommended by county budget staff, and to set public hearings and dates for final adoption. Budget presenters Mike McGee and Kirsten Prindle summarized the recommended FY26 plan and answered supervisors’ questions before the board approved the tentative county appropriation and related special‑district tentative budgets.
The recommended budget emphasizes public safety, employee retention and meeting state‑mandated payments while maintaining conservative revenue estimates. County staff told the board the budget lowers the overall property tax rate, preserves at least two months of reserves (the Government Finance Officers Association recommended practice), and keeps the county’s levy well below the maximum statutory amount — a point the board repeatedly highlighted.
Supervisors pressed staff on several items with potential fiscal impact. County staff said Maricopa remains the last county required to make an annual juvenile corrections payment to the…
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