New home construction highest in 12 months

The city of Maricopa witnessed massive month-to-month growth in new construction as 14 permits were issued for the building of single family homes in May.

The 14 permits is 4 more than the city issued in April and 14 more than were issued in May of 2010.

The last time the city issued more than 14 permits in a single month was in April 2010, when 24 permits were issued.

The construction of homes brings money to the city in the form of permit fees and sales tax on newly built homes. 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 to 10 permits a month in December, and the council slashed nearly $1 million from the city’s budget to reflect the change.

For the fiscal year, which runs June to July, the city is averaging 8.5 permits per month.