APPEARS THAT COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL ASK GOVERNING BOARD TO APPROVE A 5% TAX RATE INCREASE FOR NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET

Inflation, additional sports programs, significant increase in employee salaries, no increase in four years, will be argued as driving forces that need  increase in primary tax money from County residents

Yavapai Community College indicated at the March 2023 District Governing Board meeting that it will be seeking a 5% primary property tax rate increase in May of 2023.  It will most likely argue that it needs more operating revenue, and the only available source appears at present to be Yavapai County residents’ primary property taxes. 

The anticipated arguments that the Prescott-based executives will make to the Governing Board are along these lines:  First, the College will note to the Governing Board that it has not asked for a primary tax rate increase for four years.  Typically, it will argue, it asks for an increase every three years. Second, it will argue that each year, when the College does not increase the property tax as allowed by law, the amount not used  is carried forward.  Thus, at present the College could ask  for an 18 percent increase, which the College will tell the Board it would never use. Thus, citizens implicitly should be grateful the increase is only 5%. Finally, it will emphasize that inflation is a main cause of the need for more funds.

It will not consider any major budget cuts, such as reducing or eliminating a sports program.   

State law provides the Governing Board with exclusive power to increase the County primary tax rate. The increase needs only a majority of the five member Governing Board to vote in favor of it.  While citizens will be given an opportunity to express their opinion about the tax rate increase at the May public meeting, there is no history of citizen opposition affecting whatever increase the College has requested.