Apache Junction to lose $1.6M with repeal of tax on home, apartment rentals

By Richard Dyer
Mail | Twitter: @RHDyer

The city of Apache Junction will not receive more than $1.6 million for its coffers beginning next fiscal year under a bill signed by Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs repealing a tax on home and apartment rentals. It has a delayed effective date of 2025.

Apache Junction will not receive $1,685,249, according to Capitol Media Services.

“For the city of Apache Junction, the possible consequences of the rental tax repeal would be among the largest impacts, percentage-wise, in the state, for the city’s general fund in fiscal year 2024-25. As such, we would address that possible loss of revenue in our budget discussions accordingly,” Apache Junction City Manager Bryant Powell said.

The city of Apache Junction’s general fund for fiscal year 2023-24 has $55,442,831 for expenditures such as for the mayor and city council, the city manager, city attorney, and administrative departments such as finance, information technology, human resources and administration.

"The rental tax goes into the general fund to operate the entire city. This does include public works to include our roads, parks and recreation, library, police, animal control, as well as the city administration," Apache Junction Mayor Chip Wilson said. "The impact will affect every operation of the city. This loss will be felt by every department, some more than others; depends on their share of the funds. "

The governor had been expected to sign the bill as part of a deal with Republicans in the Legislature to allow Maricopa County residents to vote on whether to extend a half-cent sales tax for transportation.

According to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, the legislation signed by the governor takes away more than $180 million a year in revenue that 75 cities and towns collect.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley
@RHDyer

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.