Pinal Proposition 486 For Better Roads

VIA SBINSIDER REPORTING | September 27th, 2024

A plethora of state-wide ballot propositions will confront voters in November as reported upon in SBINSIDER. (click here for that review)

For Pinal County voters, a single Proposition will appear, Proposition 486. The proposition is asking voters to continue paying an existing  sales tax as exists today. The voters first approved the tax in 1986 and was reapproved in 2005.

The money that is collected is used exclusively for county road maintenance and needed improvements. The state of Arizona has some funds that come to the counties via the gasoline tax but does not directly fund county road projects.

Editor’s Note: The current overall sales tax rate in Pinal County is 7.7%. The portion of that rate is Pinal County only is 1.1%.

According to the voter guide sent out by the elections office to every voter, only one taxpayer submitted an argument against continuing the current tax. However, some residents voiced  concerns that over the course of the next 20 years it is estimated to raise approximately $1 Billion in revenues and that appears excessive.  One resident said ” I will vote for it, but I think they only need 75% of that total, but it is all or nothing.”

Jeffrey McClure, Pinal County Supervisor for the SaddleBrooke supports continuing the current tax rate. SaddleBrooke recently benefitted from the tax with the major upgrade to SaddleBrooke Boulevard, which is being resurfaced and widened to accommodate bike riders and hikers.