News Summary
The Maricopa City Council will vote on a proposal to implement a half-cent sales tax aimed at funding improvements for the congested State Route 347 (SR 347). The potential tax increase, which is supported by 60% of residents, could raise around $8 million annually over the next 20 years to address critical infrastructure concerns. Mayor Nancy Smith hopes the tax will expedite necessary improvements as traffic congestion continues to impede daily commutes in the rapidly growing city.
Maricopa – The Maricopa City Council is set to vote on a proposal to implement a half-cent sales tax during a meeting scheduled for Tuesday. The revenue generated from this tax is aimed at funding improvements for State Route 347 (SR 347), which has been a major concern for local residents due to escalating traffic issues.
The proposed half-cent increase in sales tax would translate to an uptick of approximately five cents on a medium Big Mac combo meal. This change, if approved, is expected to generate around $8 million annually over the next 20 years for the city. Recent polling data shows that 60% of Maricopa residents support this tax, while roughly one-third are opposed, and the remaining residents remain undecided.
Traffic congestion along SR 347 has significantly affected daily commuters, with local residents spending tens of millions of hours in traffic each year. With Maricopa being one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, the demand on transportation infrastructure is increasingly critical. This has led to a growing sense of urgency among city leaders regarding the need for infrastructure improvements.
Funding for SR 347 improvements has a troubled history, with prior initiatives facing legal and logistical challenges. Proposition 417, approved in 2017, aimed to raise $28.8 million for the same cause but was declared unconstitutional by the Arizona Supreme Court. In contrast, Proposition 469, which was proposed in 2022, sought over $12 million but failed to meet the necessary voter thresholds for approval. These setbacks have raised concerns among residents regarding “taxation without representation,” especially as many express feelings of financial strain due to the rising costs of living.
Mayor Nancy Smith expressed optimism about the potential improvements, stating that a council vote in favor of the tax could expedite the timeline for road widening efforts ahead of the summer months. The estimated construction costs for such improvements stand at around $10 million per mile, not accounting for any unforeseen delays or additional infrastructure expenses.
A comprehensive assessment reveals that a total of approximately $396 million is required to address essential enhancements to SR 347. This figure includes plans for a Riggs Road overpass, various widening projects, resurfacing work, and redesigning intersections. For the Pinal County portion of SR 347, the widening alone is expected to cost around $145 million.
Maricopa officials are currently working to secure approximately $69 million in state and county funds. However, the city is still facing a $188 million shortfall for the next two fiscal years. The new sales tax would contribute to addressing this financial gap, providing around $64 annually per resident, which breaks down to just over $5 each month.
In recent years, the city’s efforts to secure funding through a county tax have met with mixed success, and additional complications have arisen due to opposition from conservative groups. These challenges have resulted in lawsuits declaring previous taxation measures unconstitutional, complicating funding efforts further.
City officials have been proactive in engaging with the community, conducting open houses to solicit input regarding the proposed sales tax and necessary road improvements. City Councilmember Vincent Manfredi highlighted the potential consequences of delaying the tax proposal for a public vote, indicating that this could push improvements back until at least April 2027.
Residents express notable frustration with the current traffic conditions along SR 347, citing frequent accidents and delays as significant issues that potentially impact emergency services. The city continues to explore various avenues to meet transportation improvement goals, amid ongoing legislative challenges, as local officials remain committed to ensuring the infrastructure can handle Maricopa’s growth.
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Additional Resources
- InMaricopa: Maricopa Votes on 347 Tax
- Wikipedia: Maricopa, Arizona
- ABC15: City of Maricopa Sales Tax Proposal
- Google Search: Maricopa sales tax SR 347
- AZ Family: Funding SR 347 Improvements
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arizona
- Signals AZ: Maricopa City SR 347 Widening
- Google News: Maricopa SR 347 widening
