By Janet Perez
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The council voted unanimously to approve an increase in the primary property tax levy during its meeting last night.

The proposed property tax rate for the new 2022-23 fiscal year will increase to $1.0743 per $100 of a home’s net assessed valuation. This is a 2.65% increase in the primary property tax levy.

The rate for last year was $1.06 per $100 of a home’s net assessed valuation.

For example, the proposed tax increase will cause primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to be $107.43. Without the proposed tax increase, the total taxes that would be owed on a $100,000 home would be $104.66.

This is an increase of $34,271 in property tax revenue over last year’s levy, according to a staff report.

Only two members of the public spoke against and for the tax increase.

Resident Courtney Ramirez said that while the increase was small, families were struggling under the weight of higher costs for goods and services due to inflation.

“I don’t think people should be taxed more right now because of all the hardships everyone is having. This is Florence. We don’t have a lot of wealthy people and the idea of taxing and taxing – it’s just not a good time to do this right now,” Ramirez said. “Ten dollars doesn’t seem like a lot, but a lot of it is also the principle.”

However, another resident, Cathy Derosa, acknowledged that nobody likes taxes “but the bold action this council may take tonight is something we all understand has to happen, especially in light of Proposition 459.

“All we can do is hope that the voters understand the complexity of it and are willing to trust in the town council – whether it be this council or a new council – to make the right decisions as we move forward. So, I encourage you, as much as I hate to, to do what you need to do so the town of Florence takes care of its citizens, as well as its staff, which protect us all.”

On Aug. 2, Florence voters will be asked to consider Proposition 459, which if approved would further increase the town’s permanent base adjustment adopted by Florence voters in 2018.

If Proposition 459 passes, the town’s revised base limit would be increased by more than $3.8 million for a new total of $5 million. Factoring in inflation and population size, Florence’s new state spending limit would rise to more than $141 million. This change would take effect next fiscal year beginning in July 2023.

This year, the town’s state-shared revenues increased because Arizona is growing, but the town was not able to allocate many of those resources to improve operations or provide services to its residents due to its current expenditure limit.

“It’s like being forced to use your credit card and carry the interest when you’ve got money in the bank, so it’s not the best position to be in. One example we often cite is that this fiscal year we had to get a loan to buy a new fire truck even though we had the cash on hand,” stated Florence Finance Director Becki Jimenez in an earlier statement.

Councilmember Arthur “Snake” Neal candidly admitted that when he was campaigning for his seat on town council, he had promised not to vote for tax increases. Since then, Neal said he has seen that an increase is necessary to keep providing the amenities and safety Florence residents want and need. Vice Mayor Michelle Cordes, who is running this year to keep her seat on the council, echoed Neal’s comments.