Kochise County Food Tax Concerns

In Kochise County, Arizona, earlier this year, some state representatives put forth a proposal to eliminate taxes on groceries. This suggestion has raised alarms among residents, especially in rural parts of the county.

For instance, Sierra Vista anticipates more than $3 million in revenue from this tax, while Willcox expects to gain over $600,000. “Every dollar matters here,” noted Greg Hancock, the mayor of Willcox.

As these concerns surfaced, mayors from various communities voiced their opinions when the proposal was first introduced. The updated legislation now suggests capping the food tax at 2%.

Caleb Blaschke, city manager of Willcox, expressed, “Surviving in rural Arizona is already challenging, and losing this funding would be detrimental.” Currently, Willcox imposes a 3% food tax, while other cities within Cochise County have a tax of 3.8%. Douglas Mayor Jose Grialba mentioned that his city has benefited from $2.5 million thanks to the food tax.

“Honestly, I’ve never really heard any complaints from residents about it,” Blaschke shared.

The revenues from this tax are typically allocated to essential services like public safety, libraries, urban pools, and parks. A reduction in funding could lead to cuts in some of these programs or staff. “Improving our quality of life is crucial,” Hancock remarked. “It draws people to Willcox, and ideally, they want to settle down here and become part of our community.”

Blaschke echoed Hancock’s sentiment, noting, “We have various avenues to provide the services that our residents expect. We’re really careful about our budget. Over the last five years, Willcox has successfully secured grants.”

He added that the food tax is beneficial for the city, as it allows them to gather revenue from grocery sales. “For us in Willcox, that’s a positive. It helps us maintain what we already have, and that’s our priority,” Blaschke concluded.

If the Senate approves the proposal, residents may see it on the upcoming ballot.