At its Tuesday meeting, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to advance the county’s newest annual budget plan.
The budget projects the county spending about $1.81 billion dollars in the fiscal year beginning on July 1. That’s about $58.5 million more than in the current fiscal year, approximately a 3.3% increase. The increase is mostly covered by over $39 million more in property tax collection.
County Administrator Jan Lesher said Pima County is dealing with the same trends as local governments across Arizona: “Inflationary pressures affecting labor, construction, utilities, insurance and our operational costs. But at the same time, demand for county services continues to grow as our region grows.”
The budget includes proceeds from the land sale for the Project Blue data center, which netted the county $20.8 million. It plans to spend $2 million on neighborhood projects including crosswalk, sidewalk and park upgrades. A $3.5 million investment into the county’s Middle Mile fiber optic internet project, also tied to Project Blue proceeds, is listed in the most recent budget documents, too.
The budget would set aside funds for the One Pima Initiative, the county’s two-year plan for addressing homelessness and drug use. It would reserve $750,000 for Loop trail cleanup and send an extra $100,000 each to the county attorney’s office’s Drug Treatment Alternative Program and the superior court’s Supportive Treatment and Engagement Program.
The tentative budget sets a ceiling for spending, but leaves room for changes under that limit. Supervisors are set to vote on the final budget on June 23 after a public hearing.
The budget document notes that Arizona’s state budget — still the subject of negotiations between Gov. Katie Hobbs and legislative Republicans — could influence the county’s budget.
