Property Tax

There’s been some buzz this summer among low-tax advocates about a pair of ballot initiative drives intended to stop large increases in property taxes. Both proposed amendments to the state constitution are sponsored by a group based in Mohave County called Arizona Tax Revolt.

If you're a homeowner, you'd better brace yourself. You'll be getting your property-tax bill soon. And it will be higher than last year's. In many cases, much higher.


So high, in fact, that it might prompt you to join Arizona's fledgling tax revolt. At least two initiatives are being proposed that would prohibit local taxing entities from reaping windfalls when property valuations soar, as has happened in Maricopa County the past few years.

Remember your property-tax bill for 2003? Marc Goldstone wants you to not only remember it, but to live with it, essentially, for as long as the property stands.


On Wednesday, the chairman of Arizona Tax Revolt filed an initiative for the November 2008 ballot that would roll back valuations on all properties statewide to 2003 levels. Tax bills are computed on a property's valuation.

A movement is underway to roll back levies of taxing entities to levels of two years ago, one of several efforts in Arizona in recent years aimed at shielding property owners from tax hikes.

Gilbert Councilman Dave Crozier wants the Town Council to reconsider the town’s recently approved property tax rate — in light of proposed statewide initiatives that would retroactively force governments to decrease tax hikes.


“We should at least try to do something to mitigate some of this tax burden, or people are going to overreact and do it with initiative, and our hands will be tied,” he said. “We would be mandated to limit tax increases to cost-of-living and population increases.”

With few exceptions, the seeds of property tax revolts are sown when elected officials demonstrate that they cannot be trusted with the extraordinary power granted to them through an ad valorem (valuation-based) property tax system. That demonstration was clearly on display at the recent Gilbert Town Council hearing to set the 2007 property tax rate.

The numbers can give tax-paying homeowners a case of rate shock.


Several West Valley school districts published truth in taxation notices in today's View announcing minor to seemingly excessive jumps in primary property tax rates.

Tolleson Union High School District residents found out about a 114.5 percent hike, residents in the Buckeye Union High School District were told of a 1,348 percent increase and Saddle Mountain Unified School District officials informed residents in the Tonopah and north Buckeye area about a 2,972 percent jump.

Pima County residents including those in Green Valley and Sahuarita have received their 2008 property valuation notices.


And since just about all Pima County property is valued higher than the year before, property taxes will go up although tax rates may actually go down.

The Pima County supervisors set the rates, although they’re somewhat handcuffed on what they can charge due to a recently approved proposition.

Unhappy property owners can appeal their new valuations until April 27, Bill Staples, Pima County Assessor, said.

Payson homeowner Paul Penning got a shock recently when he learned the assessed limited property valuation of his three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home jumped $22,000.


Home valuations were sent out Feb. 15 and Penning wasn't the only one in northern Gila County to be taken off guard by an increased assessment.

After new valuation notices went out to all property owners a few weeks ago, Gila County Assessor Dale Hom said his office has had a flurry of calls.

Like Penning, many worry how that's going to impact property taxes.

If you have received your Notice of Value from the Mohave County Assessor for 2008, you may be like me and understand better why our forefathers threw the tea in the Boston Harbor in revolt! I don't recall all the details of that time, but I do remember it had to do with unfair taxation, and it was the first thing that came to mind when I read my tax notice. In talking with people around town, it appears that many feel the same.