Yavapai County Property Tax Update

In the upcoming 2026 budget, the property tax rate in Yavapai County has slightly gone down from 1.9463 to 1.9388. So, what’s the deal with the notice about a 3.41% increase? Well, it’s all about property values, which have risen.

While the total property taxes for the county have actually dropped compared to last year, many homeowners might find their tax bills a bit higher. The decrease in the tax rate is counterbalanced by the increase in property values throughout the county.

If the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors approves the budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, the total tax rate set at 1.9388 per $100 assessed valuation represents a decrease from the previous rate of 1.9463 for 2024-2025. Nevertheless, it’s anticipated that the overall amount of property tax collected will rise due to the increasing net valuation of properties.

These property tax revenues are crucial—they help fund essential county services such as law enforcement, public health, infrastructure maintenance, and libraries. The county’s “Truth in Taxation” notice emphasized the proposal to elevate property taxes to support these important functions.

Tax Rate Overview

Here’s a brief look at the primary and secondary tax rates that compose the overall tax rates:

• Yavapai County
  • 2025 Rate: 1.6443
  • 2026 Rate: 1.6443
  • Change: 0.0000
• Flood Control District
  • 2025 Rate: 0.1674
  • 2026 Rate: 0.1599
  • Change: -0.0075
• Library District
  • 2025 Rate: 0.1346
  • 2026 Rate: 0.1346
  • Change: 0.0000
• Total
  • 2025 Rate: 1.9463
  • 2026 Rate: 1.9388
  • Change: -0.0075

Primary property taxes are determined based on the limited value of the property, which support various local services such as counties and school districts. Yavapai County has set a fixed property tax rate of 1.6443 for 2026, which remains unchanged from 2025.

As for secondary property taxes, these are imposed to cover long-term obligations and certain expenditures. The county has two secondary property tax jurisdictions: the Yavapai County Flood Control District, which expects a drop in fees from 0.1674 to 0.1599 in 2026, and the Yavapai County Free Library District, maintaining a steady rate of 0.1346 from the previous year.

Special district taxes comprise non-AD Valorem taxes applicable to specific real estate. These taxes typically relate to properties that benefit directly from special districts and are not utilized by Yavapai County services.

It’s also important to note that additional property taxes are collected from other jurisdictions like schools and municipalities, which are separate from those allocated to Yavapai County.

Understanding Property Tax Calculation

Property tax is determined by the tax rate, assessed value, and the property’s classification. For instance, in 2026, the median home value in Yavapai County is estimated to be $261,508. Using a 10% valuation ratio for residential properties, this equates to $26,151 in limited asset value.

So, calculating the primary property tax would look something like this: 1.6443 x $261.51. For secondary taxes, the Flood Management District charges $42 and the Free Library District adds $35, leading to a total Yavapai County tax of $507.

This example illustrates how property tax is calculated. To know your actual amount, all taxable jurisdictions must be considered. Keep in mind that there’s a 1% cap on certain tax breaks, homeowner rebates, and limitations for major residential properties.

For more information regarding Yavapai County, you can reach out to David McAtee at 928-442-5509 or visit the official website.