Huachuca City Council directs staff to begin "truth in taxation" public‑notice process

Mayor Johann R. Wallace and the Huachuca City Council on March 12 directed staff to begin the public‑notice process required under Arizona's truth‑in‑taxation rules as part of the town's upcoming budget work.

Town Manager Suzanne Harvey and finance presenter Ruben Villa outlined three illustrative scenarios for the primary property‑tax levy. Harvey said the neutral rate would generate roughly $17,765 and “the rate would actually drop from the current rate to 1.3619.” Council was also shown a midpoint option (about $128,000 in additional revenue, presented as roughly $12 per year on a $100,000 home) and a maximum allowable scenario (about $139,000, roughly $24 per year on a $100,000 home). Villa cautioned that the figures are unaudited and subject to adjustment during the budget process.

Why it matters: initiating the truth‑in‑taxation notice process triggers additional public notices and hearings if the Council later considers a levy above the neutral rate. Staff emphasized tonight’s vote was direction to prepare notices and not a final rate decision.

Councilmember Johann Wallace moved to direct staff to begin the notice process; Debra Trate seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The matter will return during the formal budget hearings for a final rate decision.

The presentation also noted revenue timing issues: Villa said sales‑tax receipts show a lag in state reporting and that a large construction project on State Highway 10 affected this year’s receipts. Staff will provide updated, audited numbers later in the budget calendar.

The Council's action starts the local legal timeline for required notices and hearings; any change to the tax rate itself will be decided in a later meeting.