Stop Prop 497 is the political action committee represented by this website. The committee opposes Proposition 497, the proposed increase in the Yavapai County Jail District excise (sales) tax.
What Proposition 497 would do
According to the official Yavapai County election description, Proposition 497 would increase the existing Jail District excise tax by one-quarter cent ($0.0025) per dollar. The current Jail District sales tax is one-quarter cent, so approval would increase the rate to one-half cent.
If approved, the increase would take effect July 1, 2027 and continue for 20 years.
Why the jail tax is the issue
Proposition 497 is specifically a Jail District excise-tax question. The official ballot description says the existing one-quarter-cent tax is not sufficient to pay the cost of the Jail District. It states that estimated future revenue needs are $41.44 million per year, and that the county would be required to contribute $8.88 million from its General Fund for legally required maintenance of effort and would need an additional $16.15 million from the General Fund.
Those figures are the county’s published description of the funding situation. The county has also publicly explained its position on the proposed increase. Voters should distinguish the official description and county statements from arguments made by political committees or other organizations.
What a YES vote means
The official election material states that a YES vote would approve the proposed additional one-quarter-cent Jail District excise tax. If approved, the increase would take effect July 1, 2027, and continue for 20 years.
What a NO vote means
The official election material states that a NO vote would reject the proposed one-quarter-cent increase in the Jail District excise tax. A NO vote does not itself specify a replacement funding source.
What happens to the funding if voters reject the increase?
The official election material establishes what a NO vote does: it rejects the proposed additional one-quarter-cent Jail District excise tax. It does not specify a particular replacement funding source. The County and Jail District would therefore still have to address the funding needs described in their published materials through future budget and funding decisions.
What Yavapai County says
The County’s published description says the existing one-quarter-cent tax is not sufficient to pay the cost of the Jail District. It identifies estimated future revenue needs of $41.44 million per year, an $8.88 million General Fund maintenance-of-effort contribution, and an additional $16.15 million General Fund amount.
These are the County’s published figures and explanation. They should be distinguished from the position and arguments of Stop Prop 497.
What the County’s financial records show
County financial reporting provides additional background about Jail District finances. The County’s FY2024–25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report states that jail expenditures exceeded Jail District excise-tax and maintenance-of-effort funding and reports an additional County contribution beyond maintenance of effort.
Financial records provide historical context; they do not by themselves determine what future funding decisions will be made if Proposition 497 is rejected.
What Stop Prop 497 is examining
- The proposed increase from one-quarter cent to one-half cent.
- The 20-year duration of the proposed increase.
- The Jail District’s stated future funding needs.
- The county General Fund amounts identified in the official proposition description.
- The county’s stated reasons for seeking the additional sales-tax revenue.
- Alternative funding and budget questions that voters may want to examine before voting.
Source documents
The primary source for the ballot language is Yavapai County Elections — Proposition 497. Additional election information is available from the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission.
For financial background, the County Finance Department publishes its Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports, including FY2024–25.
The PAC’s additional statements, supporting documents and specific arguments will be added here as they are finalized and documented.