The Board of Supervisors has required the Committee to hold a minimum of seven public meetings, including one in each Supervisory district.
Committee Meeting Schedule:
March 13, 2018 Meeting - MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED
Abrams Public Health Center
3950 S. Country Club Road
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Minutes
February 28, 2018 Meeting
Abrams Public Health Center
3950 S. Country Club Road
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Minutes
February 12, 2018 Meeting
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Oro Valley Council Chambers
11000 N. La Canada Drive
Oro Valley, Arizona
Agenda
Minutes
January 9, 2018 Meeting
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (public hearing to begin at 6:00 p.m.)
El Pueblo Center
101 W. Irvington Road
REVISED Agenda
Minutes
December 14, 2017 Meeting - MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (public hearing to begin at 6:00 p.m.)
Kirk-Bear Canyon Library
8959 E. Tanque Verde Road
Agenda Cancelation
November 13, 2017 Meeting
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Road
REVISED Agenda
Minutes
October 27, 2017 Meeting
9:30 a.m.
Abrams Public Health Center, 3950 S. Country Club Road
Agenda
Minutes
September 29, 2017 Meeting
9:30 a.m.
REVISED LOCATION: Casas Church, Palo Verde Room, 10801 N. La Cholla Blvd.
REVISED Agenda
Minutes
Public Hearing Schedule:
Hearing Presentation
December 7, 2017
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Cienega High School - Student Union
12775 East Mary Ann Cleveland Way
Summary
December 14, 2017
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Kirk-Bear Canyon Library
8959 East Tanque Verde Road
Summary
January 9, 2018
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hearing follows the Sales Tax Advisory Committee meeting)
El Pueblo Activity Center - Richard Ortiz Barker Regional Complex
101 West Irvington Road
Summary
January 10, 2018
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Quincie Douglas Center
1575 East 36th Street
Summary
January 17, 2018
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Las Campanas Social Center (Cottonwood Room)
565 West Belltower Drive
Green Valley, AZ
Summary
January 17, 2018
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Picture Rocks Community Center
5615 North Sanders Road
Summary
January 23, 2018
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library
7800 North Schisler Drive
Summary
Should Pima County approve a new County General Sales Tax?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Pima County considering a new County general sales tax?
The Pima County Board of Supervisors recently approved a property tax dedicated to funding road repair. The Board requested input from the public and its new Sales Tax Advisory Committee, as to whether this road property tax should be replaced with a half-cent sales tax. A half-cent sales tax would generate significantly more revenue, which could be allocated entirely to road repair, or a portion of the revenues could also be allocated to reducing the County’s primary property tax.
Do other Arizona counties collect sales taxes?
Yes, all other Arizona counties levy some type of sales tax.
Why are Pima County’s property taxes higher than other Arizona counties?
Because Pima County is the only Arizona county that does not collect a sales tax and is therefore more reliant on property taxes to fund general services.
Doesn’t Pima County already have a half-cent sales tax for transportation?
No.
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) started collecting a half-cent sales tax in 2006 after voters approved a 20-year transportation plan and tax specifically for RTA projects. The RTA sales tax applies to transactions within the geographic area of Pima County, but the government of Pima County does not administer this tax. The RTA plan does not currently fund road repair.
Why can’t the County just use existing funds for road repair
Arizona’s Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) is the main source of revenue for cities, towns and counties transportation needs. HURF is funded by a variety of taxes and fees, the largest of which is the state gas tax. Arizona’s state gas tax is one of the lowest in the country and has not been increased in 27 years. The recession and more fuel efficient vehicles reduced gas purchases and gas tax revenues. Furthermore, for years the state has been balancing its budget by reducing HURF revenues to cities, towns and counties. The estimated cost today to repair roads across Pima County, including within its cities and towns, to at least a fair condition, is over $1 billion. This far exceeds the revenues available to the region for road repair. The problem is most acute in the City of Tucson and unincorporated Pima County, where the majority of roads are older and in poor or failing condition. It will take at least 35 years to fix Pima County’s roads with existing revenue sources. If most of the revenue from a half-cent sales tax was applied to road repair, the roads in unincorporated Pima County could all be fixed within 10 years.
What is the process for the County to approve a new County general sales tax?
Per state law, the only way that a new County general sales tax can be approved is by a unanimous vote of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. It cannot be approved by a public vote. The sales tax cannot be collected on unprepared food, prescription medicines, residential rentals longer than 30 days, and commercial leases.
How much more would I have to pay in sales taxes if the County adopts a new County general sales tax?
Unlike a property tax, it is estimated that up to 17 percent of the sales tax revenue will be paid by visitors to Pima County and businesses located outside of Pima County. The average household income in Pima County is $65,000. A new half-cent County general sales tax is estimated to cost the average income household $91 more per year in sales taxes. In comparison, it is estimated that poor pavement conditions are costing Tucson drivers $542 a year in increased maintenance costs, vehicle deterioration and fuel consumption (TRIPnet.org 2016).
Would a new County general sales tax be collected within cities and towns?
Yes. In Pima County, the following agencies levy sales taxes: State of Arizona, Regional Transportation Association, and cities and towns. Sales taxes on retail items in Pima County currently total 6.1% in areas outside of cities and towns; 8.1% in Sahuarita; 8.6% in Marana and Oro Valley; 8.7% in Tucson; and 10.6% in South Tucson. A new County general sales tax would add 0.5% to these amounts.
Could the County wait to adopt a sales tax until the City of Tucson’s new half-cent sales tax ends in 2022, and/or the RTA’s half-cent transportation sales tax ends in 2026?
Yes, the County could coordinate adoption of a new County general sales tax with the City of Tucson and RTA in order to reduce the burden on tax payers. However, the City of Tucson and RTA could also choose to seek voter approval to extend their sales taxes beyond these dates.
How much revenue would a new County general sales tax generate and how does this compare to the revenue generated by the County’s existing road property tax?
It is estimated that a half cent sales tax would generate approximately $80 million a year. The County’s existing road property tax is estimated to generate approximately $19 million a year.
If the County adopted a new general sales tax, would it be permanent or temporary?
The Sales Tax Advisory Committee can recommend to the Board of Supervisors whether the sales tax should be temporary or permanent.
If the County adopted a new general sales tax, what would happen to the existing road property tax?
The existing road property tax would no longer be collected.
Who is on the Pima County Sales Tax Advisory Committee?
The committee is made up of representatives from the business community, organizations supporting low income and elderly families, the County’s Transportation Advisory Committee, and appointments from each member of the Board of Supervisors.
For the list of members go here.
Who is on the Pima County Transportation Advisory Committee?
The Committee is made up of representatives from the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator.
For a list of members, go here.
If approved, how would the total retail sales tax in Tucson compare to others?
At 9.2 percent, Tucson’s total sales tax rate would still be the same or lower than more than half of Arizona's cities and towns.