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Town of Kearny
The Kearny Town Council voted not to raise the primary property tax percentage during its special council meeting last week. The vote came after a public hearing in July, where many residents and business owners expressed their concern at the increase.
The property tax levy still had to be raised to to accommodate the budget due to the fact that Pinal County decreased the property values of the area. The levy is the amount that is normally taxed on property for town revenue. When the values decrease the levy must increase to allow the revenues to remain the same. This does not necessarily cause a property tax increase.
The Council originally proposed a property tax increase which would have added additional revenue to the town budget. Its plans for the additional funds would have been allocated to purchasing new turnouts (protective fire gear) for the fire department, replacing the roof at the library, making repairs to the public works facility and also allowing funds to remain in the town’s savings. Much of the town’s reserve or rainy day saving has been allocated to repairing the town’s water and waste water treatment system, as those systems were in need of major repairs.
Town Manager Anna Flores, explained that without the additional property taxes the council will need find the funding for the projects in the general fund or use money in the town savings.
“The council plans to review the property tax increase again next year,” she said.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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