Building Better Roads

Better Roads. Faster Connections. Safely Home.

Illustration of a split penny with the text '1/2 sales tax' indicating a half cent sales tax increase

Maricopa is one of the fastest-growing communities in Arizona, and with that growth comes increased demand on our transportation system. Moving commuters safely and efficiently through the city is an ongoing challenge—one that requires long-term planning and smart investment.

In 2025, City Council took a decisive step by approving a ½-cent sales tax dedicated to the creation and expansion of Maricopa’s major transportation thoroughfares. From the outset, the City committed to being fully transparent about how these funds are collected and used.

Here, residents can see their tax dollars at work—tracking how much revenue the sales tax generates and exactly which projects those dollars support.

Revenue Tracker

**Revenue from the ½-cent sales tax fluctuates with economic activity, but is projected to generate millions of dollars annually that are restricted for transportation improvements.

These funds cannot be used for unrelated City services.

Revenue Tracker

Month	Sales Tax Revenue	Interest Revenue	Total Revenue
October 2025	$784,804.79	$56.70	$784,851.49
November 2025	$633,588.85	$1,798.11	$635,386.96
December 2025	$671,035.58	$3,128.05	$674,163.63
January 2026	$532,531.64	$4,124.25	$536,655.89
February 2026	$496,400.41	$5,048.94	$501,449.35

TOTAL:	$3,118,361.27	$14,156.05	$3,132,517.32

Expense Tracker

Category	Date	Amount
No outgoing expenses to date

What the Sales Tax Funds

A bubble map with a blue sign that says SR-237 in the middle and underneath reads

Commuting Cooridors ChartWhile the expansion of SR-347 is a critical part of this effort, it is only one piece of a broader plan. The sales tax was approved to fund a comprehensive network of commuting corridors that improve safety, reduce congestion, and provide more reliable routes throughout the city.

This is a long-term transportation strategy—designed to support Maricopa’s growth today and well into the future, not a single-project solution.

Commuting corridors are major arterial roads that support SR-347 by providing alternate routes, redirecting traffic, and improving access to I-10 and regional highways.

Improvements to SR-238 help move regional and truck traffic around Maricopa instead of through it — improving safety and reducing wear on local streets.

The loop road concept is designed to redirect traffic efficiently once drivers arrive in Maricopa, reducing congestion along John Wayne Parkway and improving local access.

In addition to these efforts, the City of Maricopa is actively and strategically exploring further infrastructure improvement opportunities across the community. As additional funds become available, the City will prioritize investing its time and resources to address these needs and strengthen Maricopa’s transportation network for the long term.

A map of a farm with a long line of green circles and a long line of yellow circles with multi-colored markers on areas indicating potential new roads and infrastructure opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of items are taxed?

You’ll only notice the ½-cent sales tax on certain purchases. Many everyday necessities are not affected, and the increase is typically measured in cents, not dollars, on individual transactions.

Where it applies:

Fast food & restaurants
Retail purchases (clothing, electronics)
Appliances & furniture
Entertainment & admissions
Home improvement materials
Personal services (where applicable)

On a $10 purchase, the ½-cent tax adds about 5 cents.

Where it doesn’t apply:

Groceries & food for home consumption
Gasoline
Prescription medications
Rent & housing payments
Lodging and hotel stays

Many essentials are already exempt from local sales taxes and remain unchanged.

For most residents, the ½-cent sales tax shows up as just a few cents at a time on certain purchases. Over time, those small contributions add up to major transportation improvements that benefit the entire community. This approach allows residents, visitors, and commuters who shop or dine in Maricopa to help support the transportation system—without placing the burden on groceries, gas, or other essential needs.

How long will the tax last?

The ½-cent sales tax is intended to fund multiple transportation projects over time, including additional commuting corridors.

Even after SR-347 improvements are completed, other critical projects still require funding to support Maricopa’s growth. The estimated duration at the time council approved the tax was 20 years. It will be up to future council’s to determine whether to shorten or extend the collection window.

Why is the City helping to fund a state road?

The City of Maricopa is helping to fund improvements on State Route 347 because SR 347 isn’t just any road for Maricopa: it’s the main and often only direct connection for residents to get to jobs, services, and Interstate 10. With rapid population growth and heavy daily traffic, the road has struggled with congestion and safety issues for years, and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has limited funding and many statewide priorities. By contributing local funds, Maricopa can accelerate improvements and secure state support that might otherwise be delayed or deferred.

ADOT gives higher priority to projects in its Five-Year Transportation Plan when local partners commit financial contributions. In May 2025, City Council approved a half-cent sales tax and entered into agreements to provide tens of millions of dollars toward the SR 347 widening and related improvements. Those local contributions help leverage much larger state and regional funding, moving the project forward sooner and helping address both safety and economic needs for Maricopa’s residents and commuters.