9 single-family home permits issued in February

Despite a year-over-year gain, the number of permits issued last month for single-family home construction in Maricopa failed to meet city estimates.

The city of Maricopa issued nine permits in February 2011, one more than issued in the same month last year and two more than in January.

The number is in line with the eight permits per month the city is averaging so far this fiscal year, which runs July 1 to June 30.

The construction of homes brings money to the city in the form of permit fees and sales tax on newly built homes, and Maricopa bases its budget partially on the number of building permits it expects to issue.

The city initially budgeted for an average of 33 permits a month in the current fiscal year. That number was adjusted down to 10 permits a month in December and the council slashed nearly $1 million from the city’s budget to reflect the change.

Since the adjustment was made the city has yet to issue 10 permits in a single month.