FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The 2024 General Election is just a week away and Coconino County would like to remind voters to have a plan when they arrive at the polls. This is especially important this year because the ballot is the longest in the history of Coconino County. Along with the elected official races, the State of Arizona has 14 propositions on the ballot.
After the state propositions are the local propositions, which have the most direct impact on communities because counties, cities, and towns provide essential services like law enforcement, road maintenance, healthcare, and disaster response to residents.
Prop. 482 is a local initiative that is not a new tax, a tax increase, or a tax extension. If approved, it will allow the County to spend revenues that have already been approved by voters but can’t be spent due to the current expenditure limit.
For example, the Road Maintenance Sales Tax (RMST) was passed by about 65 percent of Coconino County voters in 2014 for road repairs and improvement projects. If the County implements the projects using RMST revenues, it will exceed its expenditure limit, which results in severe financial penalties.
To pay for the road projects, the County has taken out an $80 million loan. This allows the County to spend RMST revenues because loans, interest, and fee payments are not subject to the expenditure limit. Using this state-approved method uses general fund revenues to pay interest and fees that should be used for other essential County services.
Proposition 482 is asking voters to approve a $7.7 million permanent adjustment to Coconino County’s expenditure base. If approved, this adjustment is projected to sustain the County for up to 20 years. For more information about Proposition 482 visit coconino.az.gov/prop482 or send specific questions to prop482@coconino.az.gov.
