Maricopa County expected to approve new budget

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a tentative FY26 budget, which focuses largely on public safety, infrastructure and capital project investments. The budget also includes a small cut to the overall property tax rate.

Thomas Galvin, Chairman at the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk about the budget.

Chairman Galvin discussed the new elections center and how the County is handling negotiations with the Arizona Diamondbacks and any renovations to Chase Field.

“The D-Backs initially sold the legislation as tax recapture, saying that if you buy a ticket and a hot dog and a t-shirt at the stadium, the sales tax generated would be plowed back into repairing the building,” Chairman Galvin said. “If you don’t watch baseball or go to Chase Field, you don’t have to worry about it. Unfortunately, there was an amendment to the bill that was going to scoop out general fund money even from the County, which prompted us to be opposed to the bill.”

Chairman Galvin added, “We are planning for the future. We are being aggressive, and we are being proactive. One of the biggest capital projects that I’m proud of is a brand-new election facility.” Chairman Galvin said the goal is to be open by the 2028 Presidential election.

“The eyes of the world have been on Maricopa County the last few cycles, especially with presidential elections,” he said. “This will allow us to count votes faster and do it the right way and safe and transparently.”