By Mark Carlisle | Your Valley
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors last week unanimously approved a $3.4 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts Thursday.
The main change from the tentative budget the board approved in May was a reduction almost $900,000 to the budget because of lost revenue now that Litchfield Park has switched from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to Avondale Police for its public safety services.
The budget also includes a reduction in the county’s share of property taxes, which was announced in May. The board cut the county’s property tax levy by 5.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. For a homeowner with property assessed at $500,000, it would translate to an annual savings of $275.
“I do think that it’s significant that we lowered the rate, showing that we are very conscious of trying to ensure that we are staying as efficient as possible here in the county,” said board Chairman Jack Sellers after the board approved the final budget Monday, June 21.
County staff noted the change in the county’s property tax levy will not be made official until Monday, August 16.
