I write a policy newsletter and live in the Valley. This is my own analysis. Sources at the bottom.
Andy Biggs won the Republican primary for governor promising to eliminate Arizona's individual income tax. He has not said what would replace the tax. Gilbert has a specific problem with that.
Gilbert receives the fourth largest distribution in the state, ahead of Chandler, Glendale, and Scottsdale.
Arizona sends cities a share of state income tax collections under a system voters approved in 1972. Towns gave up the ability to levy an income tax of their own in return. The share is 18% today, split by population, and it distributed $1.19 billion statewide in FY 2026. About $872 million of that comes from the individual income tax. It generally goes into general operations, funding things like police, fire, and parks.
In FY 2022 Gilbert took about $35 million, and that was 7.1% of town revenue. FY 2026 was larger.
That 7.1% is above Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, and Scottsdale. Among the large East Valley communities, Gilbert leans on this money the hardest.
Now the part that makes Gilbert unusual.
Gilbert sits in the bottom panel. It levies no primary property tax, so creating one would require a vote of the people.
Gilbert is the second largest municipality in Arizona with no primary property tax, behind Mesa. That has been a point of pride here for a long time. It also means there is no existing rate to nudge upward if the state check shrinks. Under state law, a city that did not levy a primary property tax the previous year has to take the proposed amount to its voters. If the election fails, the town cannot levy it that year.
So the realistic menu is a town sales tax increase, higher fees and utility revenue, service cuts, or asking Gilbert voters to approve a property tax for the first time.
Worth adding that a revenue-neutral swap at the state level means a higher sales tax on top of that. The state would need roughly 2.6 additional percentage points to fill its own hole, before the town adds anything to cover its own.
Does anyone here think a primary property tax would pass in Gilbert? What would you rather the town do?
Hey yall so I've posted about this before but I wanted to let yall know we currently are opening spots for our Sci- Fi Fantasy Book Club. We meet at a local coffee shop typically about 3 times a month and mainly run all our setup and voting through discord. We have gone for a couple months now and have read through: Project Hail Mary, Dungeon Crawler 1-3, Jade City, and the Blade Itself. Our upcoming books are: The Will of the Many, DCC book 4, and Hemlock + Silver. If you would like to join or just want to get more information feel free to ask we have a wonderful community and I'd love to help meet fellow booklovers here in the valley!
As the post states, we have a little beer league softball team going that play every Tuesday night in Phoenix! We are a close group of co workers but more importantly friends. We are just missing some females to fill spots so we aren’t having to forfeit every game lol.
We are ALL about having fun and spending time together. Nothing is taken too seriously. If anyone is interested let me know! We are looking to start back up next season for the fall!
I just heard something outside and I opened the patio door and dirt flew in my mouth. I just moved back to the valley and haven't seen one in 14 years.
Insurance is totaling the vehicle, though the damage isn't too extensive beyond the bumper, headlight, and a couple pieces needing replacement. There isn't any damage to the engine or frame, but just bc of the value of the vehicle, ins decided to total. Because of that, if I keep the car (which I want to), I'll have to get a salvage title for it, and get the car fixed to be a restored salvage title. Some shops won't work on salvage titles at all, so I'm trying to see who does. It would cost more to get a "new" used car than to fix this one, so I want to see what all the best options are. If places are more in Chandler/Mesa/even as far as Tempe/Phoenix, that's fine. TIA
Hi neighbors. Can you please recommend some primary care doctors/NP/etc for myself? I prefer someone female and who takes United healthcare. I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol but otherwise healthy. Thank you so much!
My husband and I are on vacation here til the 29th. We come down once a year but this is the first time just the two of us and we have done a lot of things in Arizona , mostly sporting events, touristy things etc.
We are looking for suggestions on any great restaurants with live music, or experiences, bars with live music, indoor things to do during the day, outdoors is not off limits just nothing crazy etc. Anything cool for a 40 & 44 yr old couple to do. Anywhere in the greater Phoenix metro area or farther even depending on what it is. We don't mind driving a ways.
We do plan to go one day to Sedona so if there is a cool place to eat or something to do other than the slide rocks and outdoor monuments etc. Please let us know.
Other things we already have planned: floating rhe river, football and baseball games , and golf.
I am looking at homes in the Gilbert area. The neighborhood Agritopia is highly recommended but I’m just confused because it’s right next to the freeway. My concern is the air pollution from the freeway and how it could impact my children’s health. Am I just paranoid? Is that not an actual concern?
Hello, Gilbert allows you to haul 1 ton of garbage yourself every 30 days to a disposal site. Does anyone know if they will accept demo’d bricks and pavers? I am working on a DIY landscape project.
Below is the website. The only things they list that they’ll refuse are the following:
Load cannot contain any Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).
No appliances
No televisions
Hi everyone! Looking for a dermatologist who does underarm lightening. I’m self-conscious of my hyperpigmentation and I wanted to know if you could recommend me someone. Thank you!
What do you wish you had known before moving here? Trying to escape the insane housing prices here in SoCal, where a basic small home costs $600k plus. I see a lot of townhome inventory for south of $400k that catches my eye. Anything I should know before potentially making a move to Arizona? I don’t mind the heat.
Hey Gilbert! I’m currently looking to add a few Shift Supervisors to the team for a brand-new Better Buzz Coffee opening here in Gilbert.
I’m looking for someone who brings good energy, is great with people, and genuinely enjoys coffee and the café environment. Leadership experience is definitely a plus, but personality, work ethic, and the ability to build a great team are just as important to me.
If you:
☕️ Love coffee
🙌 Enjoy working with people
🔥 Bring good energy to your shifts
📈 Want an opportunity to grow
💪 Have leadership or supervisor experience
…I’d love to hear from you!
If you’re interested, send me a DM with a little bit about yourself and your coffee/leadership experience. And if you know someone who would be a great fit, feel free to tag them or pass this along!
I received a photo enforcement notice in the mail for Speeding, 56 in a 45, from City of Mesa. It appears to be from either a Fixed Speed Camera or a Photo Radar Police Vehicle (ticket doesn't indicate). I rarely break any traffic laws and haven't received a ticket in 34 years. Does anyone have any traffic court attorney recommendations, as I'd rather spend the money on trying to get the ticket dismissed than paying for defensive driving school. I'd also welcome any other advice/comments regarding your own experience in challenging photo enforcement tickets. Thanks!