Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maricopa County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues with critical priority
2026 Heat Season Preparedness and Public Health Response
Maricopa County is gearing up for another dangerous summer after recording 427 heat-related deaths in 2025. Public health officials are expanding cooling and respite networks, adding family-specific sites, and partnering with 2-1-1 and local organizations to protect vulnerable residents.
2026 General Election Administration & Early Voting Plan
Supervisors praised the joint efforts of the Elections Department and Recorder's Office following recent municipal elections in Tempe.
State Expenditure Limitation and Opioid Settlement Funds
State-mandated payments for healthcare and corrections continue to rise, consuming nearly 20% of the county's general fund operating budget.
Rural Industrial Development and Water Concerns in Tonopah
Residents voiced strong opposition to large-scale industrial rezoning like Hassayampa Ranch, citing severe long-term water scarcity, data center power demands, and heat island effects.
Public Safety Sales Tax Renewal
Maricopa County is putting a 20-year extension of its one-fifth cent jail excise tax on the November ballot to prevent a massive funding cliff for jails, correctional health, and probation. Without this sales tax, the county would face severe budget disruptions that property taxes alone cannot cover.
ARPA Fund Reallocation and General Fund Adjustments
The board discussed and approved reallocating residual federal ARPA funds and general fund budget adjustments to sustain prosecutor and public defender staffing levels necessitated by pandemic-era caseload increases.
FY 2027 Property Tax Levy Resolution
Maricopa County adopted its $4.15 billion budget for FY 2027, cutting overall property tax rates while approving primary and secondary tax levy increases. The budget funds key priorities like public safety, mental health treatment, and a new election center.
Information Technology Security and Risk Management Findings
State auditors identified two ongoing IT findings regarding risk management policies, data inventory, access controls, and change management procedures, prompting county remediation efforts.
West Valley Industrial and Data Center Development
The board approved multiple significant rezonings and permits for industrial and residential growth in Wittmann, Tonopah, and Harquahala Valley, including data centers, logistics centers, and housing developments.
Framework 2040 Comprehensive Plan Adoption
The county adopted its long-range comprehensive plan, setting growth, stewardship, and infrastructure policies for unincorporated areas over the next decade. Residents from Rio Verde Foothills raised strong concerns about preserving rural density, water security, and wildfire evacuation routes.
FY 2027 County Budget Adoption
The Judicial Branch requested funding for legal service facilitators and licensed evaluators to help self-represented litigants in family court and provide necessary mental health and domestic violence evaluations.
Statecraft PLLC Legal Procurement and Election Litigation
Supervisors approved a $250,000 sole-source legal contract for outside counsel to handle election-related litigation involving the county recorder, sparking public debate over transparency and board spending.
Capital Project Financing
The Board approved financing for $530 million in capital projects to stay within state-mandated expenditure limits.
Code Enforcement and Property Compliance Litigation
The county authorized legal action against property owners who failed to correct severe environmental and zoning violations after multiple warnings.
Recorder's Office Budget and Signature Verification Stations
The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution requiring County Recorder Justin Heap to produce reports and appear for sworn testimony regarding budget requests, election procedures, and the Shared Services Agreement after months of stalled communication.
Sheriff's Office Overtime and Vacancy Rate Adjustments
The Sheriff's Office reported high overtime costs and requested a budget adjustment to reset budgeted vacancy rates downward as civilian hiring improves while sworn deputy vacancies remain high.
Jail Facilities Excise Tax Renewal (Proposition 413)
Maricopa County is asking voters to renew a one-fifth cent sales tax that funds half of the county's jail and detention operations. Because the existing tax expires in March 2027, putting Proposition 413 on the November 2026 ballot ensures public safety agencies and the jail system maintain stable funding without increasing tax rates.