Latest news with #Proposition495
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Results: Voters weigh in on San Tan Valley becoming a town
The Brief Voters in San Tan Valley are deciding on Proposition 495, which would incorporate the community into a town and make it the largest in Pinal County. Supporters of incorporation, like the nonprofit STV Inc., say it would bring in state shared revenue and improve quality of life, while opponents argue it would lead to increased taxes and other fees. SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. - Residents of San Tan Valley are deciding whether to incorporate as a town, which would make it the largest town in Pinal County. Now that the polls closed on Tuesday night, more than 7,120 voters voted "yes" to incorporate, and more than 3,300 voted "no." So far, there are just over 10,500 total voters. Not all votes have been counted. What we know STV Inc., a nonprofit, submitted nearly 11,000 signatures to get Proposition 495 on the ballot. The election was held on Aug. 5, and polls closed at 7 p.m. "Our goal has been to give residents that democratic choice to be able to vote yes or no on incorporation," said Tyler Hudgins, chairman of STV Inc., during an Aug. 5 election watch party hosted at the Rural Metro Fire Station. He says becoming a town would improve the quality of life for the estimated 100,000 residents. According to Hudgins, incorporation itself would not increase taxes, but a future town council could pass a sales tax. "The Arizona state shared revenue they talked about earlier will start to come here. It's about $50 million that we'll get to use for the first year or two," Hudgins said. "Property taxes cannot increase unless a future council decided to send that to the ballot. And the voters have to decide to tax themselves." Mike Schumal, a San Tan Valley resident since 2005, wrote a letter to the editor strongly against the proposition. He says he chose to live in the community because of its affordability. "Currently, the only things that we're really having to pay for are Pinal County taxes and Rural Metro for fire service," Schumal said. He argued that incorporation would lead to added costs, including a potential sales tax and other fees that would be passed on to consumers. STV Inc. says it will support the voters' decision and just wanted to ensure both sides of the issue were heard. What's next The ballot curing deadline for this election is Aug. 8. What you can do Click here to see the latest election results. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
San Tan Valley: Voters to decide if unincorporated community will become a town
The Brief San Tan Valley residents will vote on Proposition 495 on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. If passed, the proposition would make unincorporated San Tan Valley a town. Polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening. SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. - Tuesday, August 5, is election day in San Tan Valley where voters will decide whether the unincorporated community will be recognized as a town. What we know Proposition 495 would officially incorporate San Tan Valley if it's passed by voters. Currently, San Tan Valley has over 100,000 residents, but the community has no local government, including police, a mayor or city council. What they're saying Supporters of Prop. 495 say that by becoming a town, San Tan Valley would have more control over what happens in the community, allowing the community to create some of its own services, including police and fire. San Tan Valley currently relies on the Pinal County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement and Rural Metro for fire services. The other side Critics of Prop. 495 say they are worried that becoming a town would create the need to increase taxes. Big picture view If Prop. 495 passes, San Tan Valley would officially be recognized as a town next summer. What's next Polls are open until 7 p.m. Any early ballots that have not already been returned need to be dropped off in-person by the 7 p.m. deadline. Map of San Tan Valley Solve the daily Crossword
