The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, operating in its dual role for the Yavapai County Jail District Board of Directors, voted unanimously to ask voters to raise the county jail tax.
During its March 18 meeting, the board approved Resolution 2026-1, which asks voters on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, General Election ballot to allow the county to increase the existing sales tax from one-quarter to one-half of a cent per dollar.
“The estimated yearly revenue needs for the Jail District are currently $38.4 million per year, and will likely increase over time due to inflation and population growth,” the draft ballot language reads. “The county currently contributes $8.6 million per year to the Jail District from the County General Fund as legally required ‘maintenance of effort,’ and will contribute an additional $11.9 million from the County General Fund to pay current costs of the Jail District.”
“I just want to make you know two notes,” Supervisor and Vice Chairwoman Nikki Check [D-District 3] said prior to the vote: “One, is the board’s desire to see a reduction in property tax and that a strong reason for moving forward on this. Approximately 20% of this sales tax can be paid for by tourists. It’s already paid for by property taxes. So it’s a good deal for people who are living and owning property.”
The board has said that it plans to reduce property taxes if the sales tax increase is approved. County Manager Phil Bourdon said the board vote was “the kickoff” that he will ask the board how much they would like to decrease the property tax if the sales tax increase is approved prior to the finalization of the measure’s publicly pamphlet that gets mailed to voters.
If passed, the new tax rate would take effect on Thursday, July 1, 2027, and will be in place for 20 years, and the monies collected could only be used for the Jail District’s jail systems and facilities.
