Jail sales tax renewal
Maricopa County voters face Proposition 413 in 2026 to renew a 0.2% sales tax that generates about $300 million annually for the Sheriff’s Office, jails, inmate programs, and probation. Without renewal the tax expires in March 2027, creating a projected $296 million shortfall that could force service cuts, facility delays, or property-tax increases. The measure has bipartisan Board support and is described as the top local ballot issue.
Should Maricopa County voters renew the 0.2% jail sales tax for another 20 years?
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Sources
Arizona Daily Independent — https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2026/09/03/maricopa-county-voters-to-decide-on-public-safety-funding/
Proposition 413: Voters decide on renewing the 0.2% (one-fifth of one cent) sales tax (jail excise tax) for 20 years. It generates ~$300 million annually, mostly for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), jail operations/construction/maintenance, inmate programming, and probation.
Supervisor Thomas Galvin — https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2026/09/03/maricopa-county-voters-to-decide-on-public-safety-funding/
Board members (e.g., Supervisor Thomas Galvin) call it the most important local ballot measure; it has bipartisan support and little public opposition.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Let the tax expire and reduce jail capacity plus release more low-level offenders
- Allow expiration only if paired with major diversion and re-entry programs
- Renew the tax but add strict independent audits of all jail spending
- Renew the 0.2% tax for 20 years to fully fund current jail and sheriff operations
- Renew and increase the tax rate to expand jails and hire more detention staff
- Replace the sales tax with higher property taxes dedicated solely to jails
- Make the tax permanent and remove any future voter renewal requirement