Phoenix budget adds housing money; June 17 tax hearing is next

Phoenix City Council approved the FY 2026-27 budget on May 19, but the final legal adoption is still scheduled for June 17. For homeowners, that later date is the one to watch next.

The city says the budget directs new money toward housing affordability, homelessness services, heat-response work and staffing. In its budget release, Phoenix highlighted $6.6 million for the Housing Trust Fund, $18.4 million to maintain homelessness efforts as federal ARPA funds wind down, $5 million for childcare affordability, $3.15 million in flexible emergency aid and nearly 70 new or converted full-time positions.

Why June 17 matters

Phoenix says it will hold the Truth in Taxation hearing at 2:30 p.m. June 17 in City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St. The hearing focuses on the city’s primary property-tax levy, not every tax a homeowner may pay.

The city’s notice says the proposed primary property-tax rate would edge down to $1.2652 per $100 of assessed valuation, from $1.2658. But the notice also says average primary-property-tax collections would still rise 2.79% because assessed values increased. That is the key distinction: a lower rate does not automatically mean a smaller bill.

For Phoenix residents, the practical takeaway is simple. The budget already shows where city leaders want to spend next year, with housing, homelessness, heat response and staffing at the top of the list. The June 17 hearing is the more immediate date for homeowners who want to track the city’s primary property tax before the budget and levy move through the final step.

Sources

• City of Phoenix budget approval news release
• Phoenix City Council Legistar item 26-0053
• KJZZ report on Phoenix budget