The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has advanced a $2.2 billion budget proposal that would lower spending, reduce taxes and increase employee pay.
Arizona’s most populous county plans to decrease its spending by $82.4 million next year. The proposed budget also includes the first employee pay increase in five years. The county employs about 13,000 people.
County officials say the budget will likely result in a modest property tax decrease for local homeowners.
The largest share of the budget will continue to go toward Sheriff Joe Arpaio.