Voters may decide if they will pay more to house criminal suspects and jail inmates in Yavapai County should a measure be added to the ballot in November.
The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors unanimously gave direction to county staff during its study session on Jan. 26 in Prescott, to begin the process of asking voters to approve increasing the jail district sales tax. The ballot measure would increase the tax rate from the current 0.25% — one-quarter cent — to 0.5% — a half cent — to lower property taxes and fund jail operations. The board could also set levy below 0.5% if not all of the funds are needed.
“I’m also interested in exploring if we might be able to do both this quarter-cent increase to a full half-cent jail tax, and also potentially, subtly lower the property tax,” Board Vice Chairwoman Nikki Check [D-District 3] said. “I think that’s a really equitable way to start when we’re talking with property owners and residents.
County Manager Phil Bourdon said increasing the sales tax to 0.5%, the maximum allowed under state law, “would increase our budget by approximately $16.2 million.”
The county is currently transferring $12 million a year from its General Fund to help operate the jail district, and raising the sales tax would “eliminate the need for the general fund dollars to come over,” according to Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes.
The $4 million difference between the amount the tax would raise and the $12 million transfer to the jail district
was described by Supervisor Dee Jenkins [R-District 2] as a “cushion” that would allow the county to deal with inflation.
“We’re going back to the voters to say, ‘hey, it’s a better deal if 20% of this bill is covered by tourists, and in exchange, we’re actually hoping to lower property taxes by that $4 million,” Check later said.
Tentatively the question will be on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, General Election, with a vote by the board on Tuesday, April 7, to place the item on the ballot. County staff have been directed to develop the ballot language and a public information and outreach plan with a publicity pamphlet being distributed in mid-October.
Moving ahead with the election also fulfills one of the major objectives of the Yavapai County Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2031 that was formally adopted by the board during its Sept. 17 meeting.
“In order to accomplish the goals in the County Strategic Plan, deliver quality services in the face of increased demand, and prevent the diversion of property tax revenues and further depletion of the General Fund, by FY 2028, special funding will be increased to fully pay for jail operations,” the plan reads.
