El Mirage council adopts notice of intent to change fees and proposes alternate property-tax option

The El Mirage Common Council on March 4 adopted a notice of intent to add, delete or change city fees and considered two property-tax options for 2025: a recommended maximum rate (including the 2% constitutional levy growth) and an alternate rate that captures only new-construction growth.

Staff explained that the notice of intent starts a 60-day public-notice period before any fee changes can take effect. The proposed schedule consolidates several fire-related fees — for example, combining fire alarm and sprinkler fees into single categories — and updates fee descriptions to make them easier for businesses to understand. Staff said most changes were descriptive; a few numeric updates were included.

On property tax options, staff described the recommended approach (the maximum allowed under state law, including the 2% levy-limit growth) and an alternate that limits the levy change to new construction growth so that “growth pays for growth.” The staff presentation showed the primary property-tax rate under the recommended option would be 1.693 and the alternate 1.6596, with a difference of $65,833 in levy revenue between the two options. Council asked clarifying questions about how the alternate affects individual taxpayers and whether residents would see a tax increase; staff explained that choosing the alternate means many taxpayers would see no levy-driven increase beyond valuation changes, whereas the recommended option captures the maximum allowed growth.

Vice Mayor Parsons moved to adopt the notice of intent including the alternate property-tax option; Councilmember Winston seconded. Councilmember Gentry recorded a nay; the motion passed 6–1. Staff will publish the notice and return with any required hearings or public-notice materials.