Pinal County unveils 2005-06 tentative budget

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors approved a tentative budget which will place more deputies in the field. The fiscal year 2005-2006 tentative budget provides for 12 new deputies, two new corporals and two new sergeants to help patrol the County. The total additional money to the Sheriff’s Office is over $61 million dollars. The increase is expected to help the Sheriff cover more ground in growing areas of Pinal County.

The 16 new Sheriff employees will join a total of 44 new public servants budgeted for the upcoming year. The entire budget for fiscal year 2005-2006 is $359,012,470.

In a presentation to the Board, County Manager Stanley D. Griffis, Ph.D. said the budget reflects the increase in population for Pinal County. The major programs that impact this year’s budget include increases to state mandated contributions to AHCCCS and ALTCS; new Adult and Juvenile Detention Facility construction and operating costs, along with costs related to the Ironwood-Gantzel Roadway Improvement Project.

Dr. Griffis explained that even though the new detention facilities and the Ironwood-Gantzel Roadway Improvement Project are not being funded by taxpayer money, the costs need to be factored into the budget. These numbers reflect the majority of the increase from last year’s budget of $246,000,000.

Looking over the budget, Supervisor David Snider said he is pleased with the numbers provided to the supervisors. “Given the fact that we had nearly $16 million in requests from virtually every department but only $6 million in ‘new’ revenue – and most of that new revenue is development generated – I think we did as good a job as possible in balancing the demands placed on us by our tidal wave of growth,” said Supervisor Snider.

“This is a fiscally sound budget,” Supervisor Snider said. “This is a budget that addresses many needs that we are facing as a growing county. I am pleased that we are able to put more deputies out on the street.”

Supervisor Snider pointed out that only 19% of Pinal County revenues come from property taxes. “When you look at the revenue comparison, you can see that Pinal County does a great job of putting other sources of funding to work for the taxpayer. As we put the budget together, we looked hard at cutting the tax rate; however, until our assessed values come on line to match the demands for services I think we’re doing well to keep the tax rate at its current level,” Snider said.

The County’s tax rate will remain at $4.4532. The maximum allowable is $8.2429.