Yavapai County Sees Drop in Combined Tax Rate

For the fiscal year 2026 budget, the Yavapai County Property Tax Rate is decreasing from 1.9463 to 1.9388.  So why did the Truth-in-Taxation notice indicate a 3.41% increase? Property Values have gone up.

While the combined property tax rate for the county has decreased from the previous year, many property owners will see a slightly higher tax bill. The drop in the combined tax rate from 1.9463 to 1.9388 is being offset by an increase in property values across the county.

When the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors adopts a budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year It will include a combined tax rate of 1.9388 per $100 of assessed valuation. This is a reduction from the 2024-2025 rate of 1.9463. However, the total amount of property taxes collected is expected to rise due to an increase in the net assessed value of property in the county.

The revenue generated from property taxes funds essential county services, including law enforcement, public health, infrastructure maintenance, and the library district. The county's "Truth in Taxation" notice highlighted a proposed increase in the primary property tax levy to support these vital services.

Below is an overview of the primary and secondary tax rates that make up these rates.

Primary property taxes are calculated on a property’s limited value. Primary property taxes are those property taxes levied for the maintenance and operation of counties, cities, towns, school districts, and the community college districts. Yavapai County is budgeting a flat property tax rate in fiscal year 2026 (1.6443) as compared to the rate adopted in fiscal year 2025.

Secondary property taxes are ad valorem taxes levied to pay the following: (a) the redemption charges on any bonded indebtedness or other long-term obligation lawfully incurred by any taxing district, (b) additional amounts required pursuant to an election to exceed a budget, expenditure or tax limitation of a particular taxing district, (c) limited purpose districts such as fire, sanitary, flood control, road and improvement districts.

Yavapai County has two secondary property tax jurisdictions: the Yavapai County Flood Control District and the Yavapai County Free Library District. The Flood Control District rate is budgeted to decrease in fiscal year 2026 from .1674 to .1599 while the Free Library District is budgeted at a flat rate (.1346) as compared to the rate adopted in fiscal year 2025.

Special District Tax includes any non-ad valorem taxes that apply to a property such as a per acre assessment by an irrigation district servicing your area. These taxes are only applied to properties receiving the direct benefit from the special district. These special district taxes are not used for Yavapai County services.

There are additional taxing jurisdictions in property tax bills and their collections are not distributed to Yavapai County. These include schools, cities, towns, school districts, community college districts and special districts. The majority of property taxes collected are for other taxing jurisdictions and not for Yavapai County services.

Property taxes are based upon the tax rate, property value and property use type (property class).

For example, in 2026, the median limited-value residential home in Yavapai County is $261,508.  

• Limited Property Valuation: $261,508

• Assessment Ratio of 10% for Residential property class: $26,151

• Property Tax Rate of 1.6443 x each $100 of assessed valuation: 1.6443 x 261.51

Yavapai County Primary Property Taxes: $430

Secondary Property Taxes

Flood Control District (tax rate of .1599): $42

Free Library District (tax rate of .1346): $35

Total Yavapai County Taxes: $507

Note: This is an example of how property taxes are calculated. To review your actual bill, all taxing jurisdictions would need to be included, as well as applicable circuit breakers, homeowner rebates and the 1% limit on the limited-property tax (LPV) for class three (primary residential) properties.

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