Agenda

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Public Hearing 2. A.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	07/23/2019
Submitted For:	Jacque Sanders	Submitted By:	Marian Sheppard, Clerk of the Board
Department:	Deputy County Mgr/Library District

Information

Request/Subject

Truth in Taxation Hearing on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Property Tax Levy for the Gila County Library District.

Background Information

The Gila County Board of Supervisors acts as the Board of Directors (BOD) for the Gila County Library District.

The Gila County Library District BOD has published a notice of hearing to notify property taxpayers that the proposed primary property tax levy for FY 2020, excluding the amount attributable to new construction and any changes that may occur from property tax levies for voter approved bonded indebtedness or budget and tax overrides, is greater than the amount levied for 2019. Per Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 42-17107, a notice of hearing was published in the July 3, 2019, and July 17, 2019, editions of the Arizona Silver Belt newspaper, the official newspaper of the County in 2019. The BOD also issued a press release containing the truth in taxation notice.

Evaluation

By February 10, 2019, as required by the A.R.S., the Gila County Assessor transmitted to the Finance Department the total net primary assessed value of all properties in Gila County. The increase in revenue is attributable to new construction $39,698 and increase Assessor valuations of $23,651.
At the current primary property rate of $.2425 per $100 of assessed value, the property tax levy for FY 2020 is projected to be $24,436 or 1.98% greater than the maximum tax rate without a Truth and Taxation Public Hearing. The proposed Tentative Budget for FY 2020 is balanced utilizing this additional revenue.

The BOD has scheduled this truth in taxation public hearing on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in order to obtain comments from interested citizens.

Conclusion

For the last 10 years, the Gila County Board of Supervisors has faithfully refrained from increasing the $.2425 tax rate even under severe conditions imposed by state unfunded mandates and county fund sweeps by the state. In addition, declining net primary assessed values of property over the last 10 years have reduced the property tax levy as much as 10% each year. The Elected Officials and the Board of Supervisors have been diligent in making operational adjustments and budget cuts to work within the reduced revenue.

It is important that the Board maintain the current $.2425 tax rate and allow the increase in net assessed value to increase the available revenue to maintain county Library District operations.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the BOD hold the public hearing and receive all comment from citizens regarding maintaining the current $.2425 tax rate per $100 assessed value and that any motion to adopt an increased levy be voted on by a roll call vote of Board members.

Suggested Motion

(Adjourn as the Gila County Board of Supervisors and convene as the Gila County Library District Board of Directors) Convene a Truth in Taxation hearing to hear from citizens regarding the proposed primary property tax levy rate of $.2425 per $100 assessed value for FY 2020, excluding amounts that are attributable to new construction and any changes that may occur from property tax levies for voter approved bonded indebtedness or budget and tax overrides, that is $24,436 greater than the amount allowed without a Truth in Taxation public hearing; and approve the proposed primary property tax levy rate of $.2425 per 100 of assessed value for FY 2020. (Roll Call Vote) (Jacque Sanders) (Adjourn as the Gila County Library District Board of Directors and reconvene as the Gila County Board of Supervisors)

Attachments
TNT Notice
TNT Hearing Press Release-Gila County Library District