Poll Reveals Strong Support for Maricopa’s Proposed Sales Tax to Expand SR 347

During the city’s annual Futures Planning meeting at the Maricopa Library and Cultural Center on February 13, 2025, City Manager Ben Bitter presented a significant proposal: a new half-cent sales tax aimed at funding the widening of State Route 347.

This initiative seeks to communicate the urgent need for road improvements to both county and state officials. “It’s not likely the widening will move forward without additional funding becoming available,” Bitter stated, underscoring the challenge faced by the city.

In a city press release, officials warned that without this sales tax, SR 347’s widening would not be prioritized in the near future, potentially delaying vital upgrades for decades. They noted that without a local funding match, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) would struggle to allocate resources for the expansion.

The proposal is still in its infancy stage. City leaders in Maricopa plan to conduct open houses over the coming months to discuss the details and gather resident feedback. This input will be presented to the City Council for consideration, with the new tax potentially taking effect at least 60 days post-approval.

“We project this could generate around $9 to $10 million annually if implemented as a half-cent tax, with gradual increases over time,” added Bitter.

Interestingly, a similar proposal was introduced in 2016 but did not pass. Recent polling by InMaricopa.com, involving 1,404 residents, indicates strong support for the new tax, with nearly a two-to-one ratio in favor.

A city press release also highlighted the financial positioning achieved through property tax reductions over the past six years, which has allowed Maricopa to propose this tax. Currently, only eight cities in Arizona maintain a lower sales tax rate than Maricopa, emphasizing the city’s careful financial stewardship and commitment to improving infrastructure in line with the needs of its growing population.