Published on May 07, 2025
It was standing room only at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting as residents were eager to hear about a number of items on the agenda and speak during the call to the public. The main discussion of the night centered on the now-approved half-cent sales tax increase and the following intergovernmental agreement with ADOT for how that money will be spent on widening State Route 347. You can read more about those approvals and what it means for Maricopa’s commuting corridors here. In addition, City Council approved a tentative budget for the coming fiscal year while also spotlighting key proclamations and honoring graduates of the Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy. We want to spotlight those items here.
City Council approved a tentative 2025–2026 budget that continues the city’s focus on fiscal responsibility and community investment. For the seventh consecutive year, residents will see a reduction in property taxes, a move city leaders say reflects careful long-term planning. Public safety will also get a boost, with funding approved to hire 4 new police officers, a dispatch supervisor, and 12 firefighters. "The City of Maricopa is special and I challenge any city to say they’ve lowered property taxes seven years in a row and our staff do a phenomenal job of ensuring our fiscal responsibility,” said Mayor Smith. Establishing the budget spending for each year is required by state law and sets a limit onto how much can be spent in every fiscal year. The next step is for the completed budget to return to City Council in June for a formal adoption. You can view the City’s annual budget books by visiting www.maricopa-az.gov/budget
Mayor Nancy Smith issued two proclamations at the beginning of the meeting. The first recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month to raise public awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote mental wellness.
The second proclaimed May as National Water Safety month. This nationwide campaign aims to raise awareness about drowning prevention and encourages communities to focus on safe water practices, swim lessons, and drowning prevention.
The night also included a recognition ceremony for the 25th graduating class of the Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy. Among the 27 honorees were a record number of local middle and high school students, thanks to the program’s new status as a pathway to earning the Seal of Civics Literacy. You can read more about the program’s significance here.
The next session of the Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy will be held later this fall. Please visit www.maricopa-az.gov/MCLA for more information.