Officials with one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties have declared victory in continuing a half-cent sales tax for local highways, roads and bus routes.“Maricopa County voters have made it clear: we will continue to be a model for the nation when it comes to high-quality transportation options, safe roads, and access to bus service,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in statement calling the passage “an important milestone” for the region.Polls closed at 7 p.m. and initial results will continue to flow in from the polls throughout election night. Full, unofficial results are currently anticipated between Nov. 15 and Nov. 18. Races may be called sooner, depending on margins and the number of early ballots that remain to be counted. Election results in Arizona are unofficial until local officials have tabulated and canvassed the results.The tax extension, called Proposition 479, was part of a long list of questions posed to Maricopa County voters on Election Day — creating one of the longest ballots in years.It was one of the last questions on voters’ two-page tickets, but also among the most critical. Local leaders say money generated by the tax extension will protect existing infrastructure and set the region up for further growth. The county is projected to grow by 2 million people and add 900,000 jobs by 2050.Phoenix-area voters will also determine the fate of the community college system’s budget, and elect an assessor and treasurer, alongside other key county positions.Election 2024: See Arizona election results | Live coverage on Election DayOfficials with Proposition 479 campaign declare victoryA half-cent sales tax has funded Maricopa County’s roads and transportation infrastructure since 1985 appears poised to continue until 2045.The tax extension is expected to bring in about $15 billion — roughly half of Maricopa County’s $28 billion transportation improvement plan. It amounts to 1 cent for every two dollars spent. A substantial portion would go to highway projects, with a little more than a quarter going to bus transit.The tax is sometimes better known by its former name, Proposition 400. It saw strong support from voters during past extensions, and passed with 58% of voters when it was last renewed in 2004.But several conservative groups voiced opposition to this year’s renewal, putting it in question. They support lower taxes and dislike light rail.Only a small amount of tax revenue will go toward light rail. What does go to the rail system is restricted to maintaining it, not expanding it. Still, the tax could enable cities to grow light rail because more regional funding for roadways and bus operations frees up revenue in municipal budgets to expand the existing system.A bipartisan group of local leaders had stressed their support for the tax, saying it would keep roads in good condition, support a public transit system for a rapidly expanding county and keep traffic congestion manageable as the region grows. They also warned of economic impacts if voters didn’t pass the renewal.Cook, Freeman vie for county assessorIncumbent Republican Eddie Cook holds a slight lead over Democrat Greg Freeman, according to early ballot totals.Both candidates ran unopposed in their respective primaries.It’s a job that is little known but vitally important. The assessor determines the value of properties, which dictates how much a property owner pays in taxes, and works with other county offices to maintain records and provide valuation information. In Maricopa County, the office is responsible for keeping track of roughly 1.8 million real and personal properties with a combined value of more than $700 billion.Cook previously served on the Gilbert Town Council and led a technology company that provides cloud-based data services to other businesses. He also sat on the Arizona State Information Technology Authorization Committee, which reviews some of the state’s largest IT projects.Freeman, a commercial property manager at MPB Realty, is a Phoenix native and touts a decade of experience in the real estate industry. He has previously worked as an escrow officer, notary, residential leasing agent and construction manager. Freeman has also served on two zoning committees in Phoenix.Incumbent expected to hold onto treasurer seatRepublican John Allen will keep the Treasurer’s Office after winning his primary in July and running unopposed in Tuesday’s election.County treasurers act as the county tax collector and safeguard the county’s money. They are responsible for disbursing money from the county treasury and pursuing those who have not paid their county taxes. They receive all county revenues, manage credit accounts and invest county funds with guidance from county supervisors.They also serve as treasurer for all schools and special districts within their county.Allen was elected as county treasurer in 2020, and previously served in the Arizona Legislature for close to a decade. He’s worked in construction, airline ground operations, sales and as a small business owner.Voters decide fate of community college budgetThe Maricopa County Community College District is facing an expenditure limit dilemma and seeking to raise its spending caps, with a commanding share of voters leaning in favor of raising the limit according to early results.Officials say current restrictions prevent the district from spending more than $451 million without approval from state lawmakers. That number is based on a base limit set in 1980, multiplied by the number of full-time students and adjusted for inflation.Proposition 486 asked voters to implement a new permanent spending equation. The change does not require additional funds or raise taxes. If approved, the district will be allowed to move forward with a spending limit of $902 million. District leaders say the additional spending power will go toward growing bachelor’s programs and workforce training initiatives.The decision has big implications for the school district, which serves more than 100,000 students each year. If the proposition doesn’t pass, school leaders say they will need to make $100 million in cuts to this year’s budget.This story will be updated as election results are reported.Reporters Stacey Barchenger and Taylor Seely contributed to this article.Sasha Hupka covers county government and election administration for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps. Sign up for her weekly election newsletter, Republic Recount.Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel.
See the full article on Arizona zoning regulations, or, read more Arizona real estate investing news. It’s up to you!