Voters in one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties are poised to decide if a half-cent sales tax will continue to support local highways, roads and bus routes.The tax extension, called Proposition 479, is part of a long list of questions posed to Maricopa County voters on Election Day — creating one of the longest ballots in years.It will be one of the last questions on voters’ two-page tickets, but it is 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 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.Polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. A first round of results is expected around 8 p.m. Check back for updates.Election 2024: See Arizona election results | Live coverage throughout Election DayWill Proposition 479 pass?A half-cent sales tax has funded Maricopa County’s roads and transportation infrastructure since 1985. But it is set to expire at the end of next year if voters reject Proposition 479.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 has seen strong support from voters during past extensions, and passed with 58% of the voter when it was last renewed in 2004.But several conservative groups have 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 would 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 have stressed their support for the tax, saying it will 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’ve also warned of economic impacts if voters don’t pass the renewal.Cook, Freeman vie for county assessorTwo candidates who ran unopposed in their respective primaries are now slated to faceoff for county assessor.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.Incumbent Republican Eddie Cook is running against Democrat Greg Freeman for the role. 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 is expected to keep the Treasurer’s Office after winning his primary in July.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, who beat out challenger William Lichtsinn for the GOP nomination, is running unopposed in the general election. He 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.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 asks voters to implement a new permanent spending equation. The change would 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 could have 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.
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