CEBV 2024 County Propositions Guide

We recommend Yes on all of these 400-series measures

Many of you have asked about the county-specific propositions on your ballots. CEBV is here to help: this central source of information, data and recommendations for local county propositions is intended to assist you in making an informed decision and in voting with confidence.

The “AEL problem.” Many of these propositions center on modernizing local Aggregate Expenditure Override spending caps. In 1980, Arizonans voted to establish annual expenditure limits that cap how much counties, community college districts and even our state’s public schools can spend, even if funding is available. This formula, which has never been updated, is still calculated on 1979-80 budgets. This means that, today, it restricts funding for programs and services we need and use. Because voters put the caps in place, they cannot be rescinded or updated without voter approval.

Maricopa County

Prop 479 (“Connect Maricopa”): YES

Summary. Prop 479 continues a half-cent sales tax for transportation, which has driven economic growth throughout Arizona by funding infrastructure improvements. 

Expands roads and freeways. Most of Prop 479’s funding will go toward improving and expanding freeways and strengthening safety for drivers and pedestrians. It will make our most dangerous intersections and stretches of freeway safer. It also includes critical funding for road repair and public transportation. 

Reduces traffic and gridlock. If Prop 479 fails, Maricopa County will be unable to invest in its transportation infrastructure to keep up with population growth. Experts say this could cause rush hour stop-and-go traffic to increase by 20%, and commute lengths to increase by 70%. 

Boosts our economy. Prop 479 is projected to create 30,000 new jobs per year for the next 25 years, generate $30 billion in income, and drive economic opportunity for Maricopa County families. Unsurprisingly, it's endorsed by an enormous coalition of business, labor, community and elected leaders and organizations, including every mayor in Maricopa County regardless of political party. 

Not a tax increase. Approving Prop 479 will have no impact on residents' current tax rates. The measure simply continues an existing sales tax, approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004, that dedicates funding specifically to roads and transportation.

Prop 486 (“Elevate Maricopa”): YES

Summary. Prop 486 would raise the artificial expenditure limit for the Maricopa County Community College District that restricts how much the district can spend, even when funding is available. This adjustment will enable increases in workforce programs, technology infrastructure, career and technical education (CTE), non-credit training, baccalaureate degrees, and programs that serve high school students.

Adjusts an outdated, archaic cap. 45 years ago, voters capped community college spending based on economic and population conditions at that time. Since then, Maricopa County has added four new colleges and has almost tripled its number of students. MCCCD no longer receives any money from the state legislature for these operations. Regardless of these challenges, Maricopa County's community colleges have continued to partner with growing industries to help our workforce keep up with demand.

Strengthens our workforce. All 10 Maricopa Community Colleges train students with specific skills, helping them enter the workforce as quickly as possible. Two key examples are semiconductors and nursing. MCCCD is working to meet demand driven by President Biden's CHIPS and Science Act, which spurred dozens of multi-billion-dollar projects that are creating high-paying jobs in states like Arizona, by training 4,000 to 6,000 local semiconductor technicians over the next few years. As of 2022, Arizona ranked in the top 5 states with the largest hospital staffing shortages, and many universities have waitlists for nursing programs. MCCCD is poised to graduate over 5,000 nursing students in the next few years, and will soon begin offering bachelor's degrees in nursing. 

Huge return on investment. Maricopa Community Colleges have a huge positive economic impact on our community. One out of every 28 jobs in Maricopa County is supported by the activities of the colleges and their students.

Not a tax increase. Prop 486 will have no impact on residents' current tax rates.

Coconino County

Prop 482: YES

Summary. Prop 482 would raise the artificial expenditure limit for Coconino County that restricts how much the county can spend, even when funding is available. 

Adjusts an outdated, archaic cap. The county's expenditure limit is a fixed amount, originally determined in 1979-80, that is adjusted annually to account for population growth and inflation. The formula does not factor in new and expanded program growth or new revenues such as the voter-approved Road Maintenance Sales Tax. In 2014, county voters approved this measure by 2-1 margins, but the improvement projects it is supposed to fund are currently delayed because of the expenditure limit.

Strengthens county services and programs. Coconino County would use the additional purchasing power for county services and programs, including law enforcement, road improvements and maintenance, emergency response, and other county services. Just a few of the new expenses facing counties that did not exist when this limit was set in 1980 include cell phones, laptop computers, the Internet, advanced public safety equipment, new search and rescue communications equipment, costs shifted from the state, and new state-mandated requirements. Increased tourism has increased demand for county services such as law enforcement, road maintenance, and search and rescue. Approving Prop 482 will allow Coconino County to fund these services with money it already has. 

Not a tax increase. Prop 482 does not generate any additional money in taxes or fees. It simply allows the county to spend revenues it already collects. 

Graham County

Prop 402: YES

Summary. Prop 402 would raise the artificial expenditure limit for Eastern Arizona College that restricts how much the district can spend, even when funding is available. This adjustment will enable increases in workforce programs, technology infrastructure, career and technical education (CTE), non-credit training, baccalaureate degrees, and programs that serve high school students.

Adjusts an outdated, archaic cap. In 1980, Arizonans voted to establish an annual expenditure limit to cap how much community college districts can spend, even if funding is available. This formula, which has never been updated, is still calculated on 1979-80 budgets, meaning that, today, it keeps community colleges from providing quality education. If a community college district exceeds this arbitrary, outdated cap, it faces penalties. Without Prop 402, Eastern Arizona College (EAC) will be forced to make immediate, drastic cuts in educational programs and services that will likely lead to the closure of the EAC campus. 

Strengthens our workforce. EAC contributes nearly $250 million annually to the Eastern Arizona economy, supporting local businesses and 1 out of every 11 jobs in our region. Voting YES on Proposition 402 will allow EAC to continue boosting our economy, local businesses and job creation. 

Preserves community-based affordable education. Without Eastern Arizona College, Graham County students would be forced to move to larger cities to pursue higher education at universities that are three times more costly. Prop 402 will allow EAC to continue supporting students with a flexible, high-quality, and affordable education, such as affordable bachelor’s degrees, programs that support high school students, and workforce development programs that meet critical economic needs.

Not a tax increase. Prop 402 will have no impact on current tax rates. It does not increase taxes or add any new funding to the budget. It simply allows EAC to spend money it already has. 

Pinal County

Prop 486: YES

Summary. Prop 486 renews Pinal County's Road Maintenance and Improvement Fund, a half-cent excise tax that funds the repair, maintenance and improvement of county roads and is shared with Pinal County cities and towns. Voters originally approved the tax in 1986 and renewed it in 2005. The funding will expire at the end of 2026 unless voters approve Prop 486. 

Expands roads and freeways. The 20-year continuation of the tax is projected to generate $800 million to $1.2 billion in revenue that will be used for road and pothole repair, road widening and preservation, new road construction, intersection improvements and traffic safety improvements. This will make our most dangerous intersections and stretches of freeway safer and more efficient. 

Reduces gridlock, increases safety. If Prop 486 fails, Pinal County will be unable to invest in its transportation infrastructure to keep up with population growth. Increased investment in road safety and modernization will create safer conditions for drivers and residents by allowing quicker emergency response times and reducing the risk of collisions. 

Boosts the local economy. Leading economist Jim Rounds assessed the community impact of Prop 486 and found that, without the Maintenance Fund, job growth will remain flat in Pinal County over the next 20 years. This investment in roads and transportation is vital so Pinal County can maintain and preserve its infrastructure and economic future. 

Not a tax increase. Approving Prop 486 will have no impact on residents' current tax rates. Prop 486 simply extends the existing countywide transportation and road maintenance half-cent sales tax that voters approved in 1986 and reauthorized in 2005.

Yavapai

Prop 479: YES

Summary. Prop 479 would raise the artificial expenditure limit for Yavapai County that restricts how much the county can spend, even when funding is available. 

Adjusts an outdated, archaic cap. The county's expenditure limit is a fixed amount, originally determined in 1979-80, that is adjusted annually to account for population growth and inflation. The formula does not factor in new and expanded program growth or new revenues such as the voter-approved Road Maintenance Sales Tax. The County's current revenues, including federal, state and county sources, exceed the current spending cap, and are growing. This means the county is unable to spend a growing proportion of its funds — which benefits no one. As former county administrator Phil Bourdon says, "Annually, we would have to recommend denial of budget proposals that would have benefited citizens due to the County’s Expenditure Limit." 

Strengthens county services and programs. Yavapai County faces many expenses that did not exist in 1980, including advanced public safety and search and rescue communications equipment, public-facing websites with online services, modern equipment and personnel, and ongoing expenses related to public health, safety and welfare, roads and other infrastructure. Meanwhile, Yavapai County has experienced significant population growth, with corresponding demands on public services. Allowing the county to fund important programs and services will improve quality of life for Yavapai County residents. 

Improves public safety and quality of life. Infrastructure investment, such as road improvements, will not only improve quality of life but also enhance productivity and economic efficiency. Adequate funding for essential public services like policing and public health will help to maintain public safety and welfare.

Not a tax increase. Proposition 479 does not raise property taxes or any other county taxes. It simply gives the county permission to spend money it already has.

What about statewide propositions?

See CEBV’s 2024 State Propositions Guide, here.

What about judges?

See CEBV’s Gavel Watch 2024, here.

What about school boards?

See Save Our Schools Arizona’s Vote 4 Public Ed list of candidates, here.

This document is a statewide resource. Apache, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo and Yuma counties do not have any propositions on their ballots this year. We are not aware of any other state- or county-wide propositions that will appear on your ballot.