Maricopa County homeowners are militant about keeping taxes low, but this year they will really have something to howl about as taxable property valuations increase by an average of 12% countywide.
In some towns across the expansive county, valuations will rise by as much as 25%, according to the Maricopa assessors office. In the county seat of Phoenix, increases are expected to average 14%, officials reported.
Assessor Kevin Ross pointed out that because property valuations are performed every two years, the countywide increase comes to only 6% on an annual basis.
As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, Maricopa County has seen construction soar as new housing has filled vacant land. About 60% of the property tax collection increases in Maricopa came from new construction and 40% from rising valuations of existing homes over the past five years.
In Mesa, Phoenixs most populous suburb, developers are seeking city annexation of 908 acres to get city services for about 3,000 new homes. Developers need water and sewer connections before they can begin construction. The site adjoins the General Motors Proving Ground, which GM officials said they plan to relocate to Mexico.
