Council Approves Significant Cut to Property Tax Rate

The Maricopa City Council unanimously approved a 6% reduction in primary property tax rates for homeowners last night. This marks the seventh consecutive year the city has implemented rate cuts.

The primary property tax will decrease from 3.64% to 3.48%, while the secondary property tax will drop from 0.69% to 0.59%. These funds are allocated to the city’s general fund, supporting essential services like public safety.

Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager Matt Kozlowski emphasized the importance of these cuts, stating they aim to “put more dollars back into the pockets of Maricopa residents.”

In his remarks, Kozlowski noted the significance of these adjustments in an economically challenging environment. He expressed the council’s commitment to reducing the overall tax burden for residents, with property taxes being a primary focus.

Councilmember Vincent Manfredi described the decision as a moment to “celebrate,” highlighting its significance for the community.

He remarked on the achievement, stating that it is noteworthy for a city to successfully lower tax rates for its residents.

However, this progress may be challenged in the future.

During a recent Budget and Finance Council Subcommittee meeting, Mayor Nancy Smith indicated that future reductions in property tax rates could face significant challenges due to declining state-shared and intergovernmental revenues.

She expressed concern about the volatility in revenue year-to-year, suggesting that at some point, the city may need to reconsider its approach to property tax reductions.

Vincent Manfredi is an owner of InMaricopa.