Update on Public Safety Funding Bill (SB 1144)
"Governor Hobbs has signed Senate Bill 1144, which authorizes Maricopa County to seek voter approval for the 20-year extension of the Jail Excise Tax at its current rate of $0.002 (1/5 of one cent).
Public safety is one of Maricopa County's top priorities, and is a core function of local government. Ensuring the continued safety and well-being of our residents is truly a bipartisan issue, as demonstrated by the overwhelming support this bill received in both chambers of the state legislature.
Since its initial approval by voters in 1998 and subsequent extension in 2002, the Jail Excise Tax has been a critical funding source for mandated public safety services, including correctional health, adult and juvenile probation, and detention operations.
With this critical funding mechanism set to expire in March 2027, the Board of Supervisors, in collaboration with the County Attorney, Sheriff, and Superior Court, established the Public Safety Funding Committee. This citizen-led committee conducted a comprehensive review of the Detention Fund and unanimously recommended pursuing a 20-year extension of the Jail Excise Tax at its current rate.
Because 99% of Detention Fund expenditures are tied to mandated services, these costs will persist regardless of the tax's expiration. Without the ability to seek voter approval to extend the Jail Excise Tax, the county would have faced difficult decisions, including raising property taxes, cutting essential services, or a combination of the two.
I would like to express my gratitude to Governor Hobbs, the Arizona State Legislature, including the bill's sponsor Kevin Payne, and members of Maricopa County's Public Safety Funding Committee for all their hard work in moving this critical funding mechanism forward. I believe that voters will continue to support our efforts to maintain public safety and a good quality of life in our community."
UPDATED VIDEO CLIP:
Watch Chairman Galvin discuss his plans for public safety during his Chairman's speech in January 2025.
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