Contact: Chris Chesrown
Media Relations Manager
480-731-8503

For Immediate Release

MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES GOVERNING BOARD TO APPROVE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE -Funds to be used to meet needs of growing enrollment

May 16, 2002 – At a June 4 public hearing, the Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board will consider raising property taxes by the limit permitted in the state constitution and statute (ARS 15-1461.01).

About 60 percent of the district’s operational budget is generated by property taxes. This increase in primary property taxes will result in $96.34 in taxes on a $100,000 home as compared to $94.45 per year if the district did not maximize its levy; a difference of $1.89. The proposed 2% increase would produce an estimated $4,344,196 in revenues. Details concerning the impact of this proposal, as compared to not increasing taxes, are listed in the Truth in Taxation notice published in the Arizona Republic on May 20 and May 28, 2002.

District officials say the additional revenues are needed to pay for increased expenses as enrollment at the ten Maricopa Community Colleges and two skill centers continues to grow. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maricopa County added more people than any other county during the past decade. Enrollment at the Maricopa Community Colleges has experienced ongoing increases over that same period. Priority needs include additional faculty, allocations for technology advancement and inflationary cost increases, master planning activities for facilities, and budget to operate new facilities being constructed under the capital development program.

The Maricopa Community Colleges are the state’s single largest provider of higher education. More than a quarter-million students are enrolled in credit and non-credit courses offered by the Maricopa Community Colleges each year. Also, more than 50-percent of all baccalaureate degree recipients at Arizona State University have attended one of the Maricopa Community Colleges.

The publicly-elected five person Governing Board will meet on Tuesday, June 4, 2002 at the Maricopa Community Colleges District Office, 2411 W. 14th Street, Tempe, Arizona. The Governing Board will consider a motion to levy the increased property tax by a roll call vote. Any increase would take effect on July 1, 2002.

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation. It includes 10 colleges – Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes. For more information: 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu

 

Truth in Taxation Hearing Notice of Tax Increase In compliance with 15-1461.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, Maricopa County Community College District is notifying its property taxpayers of Maricopa County Community College District's intention to raise its primary property taxes over last year's level. The Maricopa County Community College District is proposing an increase in primary property taxes of $4,344,196 or 2.00%. For example, the proposed tax increase will cause Maricopa County Community College District's primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to increase from $94.45 (total taxes that would be owed without the proposed tax increase) to $96.34 (total proposed taxes including the tax increase). This proposed increase is exclusive of increased primary property taxes received from new construction. The increase is also exclusive of any changes that may occur from property tax levies for voter approved bonded indebtedness or budget and tax overrides. All interested citizens are invited to attend the public hearing on the tax increase that is scheduled to be held on Tuesday June 4, 2002, @6:00 p.m., at the District Support Service Center of the Maricopa County Community College District, located at 2411 W. 14th Street, Tempe, Arizona.

-maricopa community colleges-

- disclaimer -
We welcome feedback
March 13, 2002