PIMA COUNTY, (June 19, 2024) – County taxpayers won’t see a change in their total property tax rate next fiscal year. The Pima County Board of Supervisors kept the total tax rate the same as part of its adoption of the $1.7 billion budget for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The Fiscal Year 2025 budget continues established programs that maintain critical infrastructure, ensure public health and safety, provide preschool scholarships, help keep people in danger of eviction in their homes, support numerous programs that assist job seekers, protect and expand open space and wildlands, repair and improve unincorporated County roads, maintain a robust system of parks, trails, and community centers, and continue to support County employees and keep the County a competitive employer.
The board adopted the $1,726,493,259 annual budget in a series of votes for separate property taxes that comprise the County budget. The adopted total tax rate of $5.1048 per $100 of assessed value is the same as the current fiscal year. There are two components to County property taxes – a property’s assessed value and the tax rate. Using formulas set by state law, rates for the different County property taxes are multiplied by the assessed value to determine the tax bill.
Over the past five years, the Board has reduced the total County tax rate by more than 45 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Summary of Board budget votes:
- Primary Property Tax – The Board voted 4-1 to adopt the tentative primary property tax and setting the tax rate at $4.0990 per $100 of assessed value, which is a 2.2 percent increase over the current fiscal year. The primary property tax rate funds the General Fund, which pays for most County programs and services.
- Library District Tax – The Board voted 4-1 to adopt the tentative Library District property tax and set the tax rate at $0.5537, which is a 0.8 percent increase over the current fiscal year. The library district tax is secondary property tax and its use is restricted to the operation and maintenance of the County library system.
- Regional Flood Control District Tax – The Board voted unanimously to adopt the tentative Flood Control District tax and set the rate at $0.3271, which is 0.5 percent more than the current fiscal year. The Flood Control District Tax is a secondary tax and its use is restricted to the construction and maintenance of flood control infrastructure.
- Debt Service Tax – The Board voted unanimously to adopt the tentative Debt Service tax and set the tax rate at $0.1250, which is 43 percent less than the current fiscal year. The Debt Service tax is a secondary property tax and can only be used to pay down County debt, the majority of which is voter approved.
The Board also voted 4-1 to approve the $10 million budget for the County Stadium District, which is included in the total budget. The Board also unanimously approved the tentative budgets for two dozen improvement and facilities districts throughout the County. These are small districts that fund specific infrastructure, such as street lighting and roads.
“The Recommended budget for FY 2024/25 represents a balanced approach to financial management, blending continuing, expanded, and new initiatives with fiscal prudence. It reflects our commitment to maintaining stability for County residents and employees while maintaining a solid financial foundation. This process involved scrutinizing expenses, exploring avenues for revenue enhancement, and reassessing the County's spending priorities,” County Administrator Jan Lesher told the Board in April when she submitted her recommended budget.
County homeowners will see an average increase in their property tax bill of about $58.50 which is primarily due to increases in property values. The average net assessed home value in the county is $224,000. County property values increased 5.7 percent last year. Property values are set by the County Assessor.
With direction and consultation from the Board, County Administrator Jan Lesher used several strategic goals to inform the drafting of the FY2025 budget. This continues and expands a strategic budgetary framework developed by the County Administrator last fiscal year. The strategic framework ensures the goals and objectives of the Board are reflected in the annual budget.
To review the County budget and all the documents used in the budget writing process, go to www.pima.gov/budget
Pima County Strategic Budgetary Framework for Fiscal Year 2024/2025
PILLAR 1: EFFECTIVELY MANAGE CORE FUNCTIONS AND PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE TO PIMA COUNTY RESIDENTS
- Goal 1.1– Maintain Fiscal Strength and Stability
- Strategy 1.1.1: Align County expenditures with Strategic Framework
- Strategy 1.1.2: Budget for expected economic conditions and account for inflation.
- Goal 1.2: Provide Quality Government Operations
- Strategy 1.2.1: Improve service delivery to the public by optimizing government operations.
- Strategy 1.2.2: Be the Employer of Choice by Investing in our Workforce
PILLAR 2: IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PIMA COUNTY RESIDENTS
- Goal 2.1: Enhance the Safety and Health of Communities
- Strategy 2.1.1: Mitigate the impact of the opioid and related Fentanyl crisis through the strategic investment of national opioid settlement, federal and local resources.
- Strategy 2.1.2: Understand and address homelessness through the efforts of the Office of Housing Opportunities and Homeless Solutions.
- Strategy 2.1.3: Work with Justice System partners to address public safety.
- Goal 2.2: Create opportunities for economic advancement and wealth creation among Pima County families.
- Strategy 2.2.1: Implement Board Policy E36.2, the Prosperity Initiative, and increase awareness among internal and external stakeholders.
- Strategy 2.2.2: Continue to invest in Prosperity Initiative aligned programs across the County.
PILLAR 3: PRIORITIZE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
- Goal 3.1: Construct and Maintain Critical Infrastructure
- Strategy 3.1.1: Continue the 10-year plan to fix all roads nd improve traffic safety.
- Strategy 3.1.2: Invest in construction and maintenance of Pima County owned, operated or leased facilities, parks and conservation areas.
- Goal 3.2 Promote Economic Growth in Pima County
- Strategy 3.2.1: Attract businesses in priority sectors to locate in Pima County and retain and expand existing businesses.
- Strategy 3.2.2: Enhance workforce development opportunities.
PILLAR 4: PROMOTE CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY
- Goal 4.1: Update policies that balance land conservation and development.
- Strategy 4.1.1: Update the Pima County Comprehensive Plan (Pima Prospers).
- Strategy 4.1.2: Strengthen approach to land and resource conservation.
- Goal 4.2: Enhance environmental sustainability and climate resilience in Pima County
- Strategy 4.2.1: Develop and implement a Pima County Climate Action Plan.
- Strategy 4.2.2: Work with jurisdictional partners to identify opportunities for regional climate pollution reduction.