Proposition Details
On June 30th, 2025, the .20% Preserve acquisition sales tax from 1995 will expire. This new ballot measure, “To Protect & To Preserve Scottsdale” Prop 490, which would be funded by a .15% sales tax, would go into effect on July 1st, 2025 and would solely fund:
- Reinvestment in the aging Indian Bend Wash parks first, then additional citywide parks as they age.
- Increased maintenance in all parks citywide.
- Additional Police Rangers to patrol the parks and Preserve trailheads for increased security.
- More Fire Department resources to reduce fire loads and increase public safety.
- Infrastructure needs for WestWorld, including flood control improvements.
- Ongoing care for the Preserve, including wildlife habitat protection and cultural resources protection.
An Ordinance will outline what percentage of the tax revenue will be apportioned to each City project. Citizen oversight will be provided by adding that responsibility to the Parks and Preserve Commissions.
This tax was originally passed 30 years ago to create Scottsdale’s Preserve, a natural treasure, which will benefit all future generations. Now it’s time to protect Scottsdale’s other open spaces – our parks which will benefit our children and grandchildren.
If approved, “The Permanent Base Adjustment” Prop 491 would allow the City to increase its expenditure limit from $634.6 to $884.4 million for FY 25/26. This would permit the use of City funds to maintain existing and planned City services and programs. State law limits the City’s Operating Expenditures – regardless of revenues collected. Scottsdale has one of the lowest limits in the Valley. Raising this limit requires voter approval. Scottsdale has not asked for an increase in 18 years, so this proposal is long overdue. This is NOT a tax increase or an override. It is the fiscally responsible thing to do.
Operating costs related to citizen approved bond projects, enhanced Police and Fire services and water cost increases necessitate this action.
If the limit is not raised, the City could face serious financial restrictions. It would be unable to spend all revenues received, including voter-approved revenues for operations. This would negatively impact citywide operations including water, solid waste, airport, Police and Fire and other General Fund operations.