Securing a SaferMohave County
Advocating a 1/4% Countywide SalesTax for Public Safety.
Why We’re Here
Our communities are facing rising demands on law enforcement, jails , and the judiciary
Critical staffing shortages, outdated equipment, and budget shortfalls
We need sustainable, local funding
Today, we propose a modest solution with major impact
The Proposal
Add a 1/4% Countywide Sales
Tax
On the November 2026
general election ballot
Generates dedicated, locally
controlled revenue for:
- Mohave County Sheriff
- County Attorney and
Public Defender - Superior Courts and Jails
- Veterans Court
- Quality of Life Court
Tax expires in 20 years, with
voter renewal required
An
Equitable
Solution
Mohave County has millions of visitors per year
Comparable counties with a sales tax have seen:
- More Sheriff deputies
- Faster response times
Sales Tax excludes groceries, rent, prescription drugs
Adds 25¢ on every $100 spent on taxable goods from
non-residents and residents
Visitors Can Help Share the Cost
Just one Quarter ($0.25)
Per $100 spent on taxable goods
Directed Sales Tax
Projected Annual Revenue: $12-14
million
Projected Beneficiaries:
Sheriff’s Office
- Superior Court and Jail
- Juvenile Detention
- County Attorney
- Public Defender
- Veterans Court
Anti-Supplantation Clause: prevents
shifting existing revenue to the new
funding source
Desperately Needed
County is understaffed by:
- 65 Sheriff deputies
- 5 Superior Court Judges and Commissioners
- 10 Deputy County Attorneys & Public Defenders
- 10 Jailers
911 response times are growing in rural areas
Recruitment and retention is at a crisis point
Without this revenue, public safety will fall behind
population growth
Mohave:
The Only County in Arizona Without a Countywide Sales Tax
Community Support is Strong
A majority of county residents
rank public safety as their top
funding priority
A majority support a modest sales
tax when funds are restricted to
public safety
Support from:
- Sheriff Doug Schuster
- Sheriff’s Deputies
- County Attorney Matt Smith
- Veterans groups
- Business Community
- Realtors and key developers
Roadmap
12,600 verified signatures due July 2, 2026
- Paper petitions ONLY (no online petitions)
Appears on November 2026 General Election ballot; simple majority required
Effective July 1, 2027
Call to Action
We need your help to get on the
ballot
Public endorsements from
community leaders
Resolutions of support from
community groups
- Realtors Associations(RAPAC)
- Service Clubs
- Chambers of Commerce
- Churches
- HOA’s
Public comment at key meetings