The Town of Queen Creek’s fiscal year (FY) 2026/27 budget was approved by Council at the May 20 meeting. The $840.6 million budget goes into effect on July 1, 2026, and continues to prioritize water resources, public safety, and transportation, with 56% dedicated to infrastructure projects. Arizona law requires that all municipalities adopt an annual, balanced budget. Arizona budgeting practices also require the full cost of projects are included up-front in the budget, even when the projects occur over multiple years.

“This budget includes two major projects – both strategic investments that will be multi-year projects, our police headquarters and the final payment for water from Harquahala Valley,” stated Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley. “Both of these projects are fully funded in the approved budget, and remaining projects costs will carry-forward each year until they are complete. These projects, along with our $71.1 million slated for transportation, reflect our continued commitment to infrastructure while maintaining a high quality of life.”

Town of Queen Creek FY 2026-27 Budget infographic

The budget aligns with the Town’s Corporate Strategic Plan to prioritize its allocation of resources. Highlights include:

• Safe Community
  •  The budget includes 10 new positions for public safety: six for the Police Department and four for the Fire & Medical Department
  • The budget includes $106.1 million for critical facilities identified in the adopted Police Master Plan, as well as $4.5 million for Fire & Medical facilities and equipment, including design of a new fire station to service the southern area of Town
  • The QCPD HQ, one of the Town’s larger investments, solves multiple needs with one structure – the new building will include space for future buildout and eliminates the need for an expansion at the Municipal Services Building (MSB)
  • The Town adopted a pay-as-you-go funding source for large, one-time projects, which will be used to cover a portion of the QCPD HQ

• Secure Future
  •  Queen Creek continues to take a proactive approach to water self-sufficiency, with strategic investment in a drought-proof water supply. The budget includes $177.5 million for water resources including:
    • The final payment to purchase Harquahala water, and funding towards related infrastructure
    • Funding for the Meridian water recharge site

• Superior Infrastructure
  • Transportation investments continue with $71.1 million allocated for improvement projects like:
    • Power: Chandler Heights to Riggs
    • Hawes: Rittenhouse to Jude
    • Sossaman: Sonoqui Wash to Chander Heights
    • Chandler Heights: Sossaman to Hawes
    • Hawes: Chandler Heights to Ocotillo

• Qualify Lifestyle
  • The budget includes $4.9 million for wash trails, one of QC’s unique assets, including design and construction of the Queen Creek Wash Trail east of Rittenhouse to Meridian, under UPRR

• Effective Government
  • The Town prioritized new positions beyond public safety to those that support the Town’s transportation and utility investments (four in Public Works and four in Utilities)
  • The budget includes a one-time $50 million payment to pay off a short-term loan that is due June 2027 using reimbursements from a state infrastructure program and other dedicated resources that were set aside in the General Fund last year to pay off the loan

The budget assumes a lower primary property tax rate, from $1.55 to $1.46 per $100 of assessed value. In November 2022, Town Council approved a policy that freezes the primary property tax for existing taxpayers for five years, which means the tax rate will go down as property values go up. The primary property tax rate will be adopted by Town Council at the June 3 Town Council meeting. The Town’s primary property tax was approved by voters in 2007 at a rate not to exceed $1.95 per $100 of assessed value and is dedicated solely for public safety.

To view the full budget, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/Budget. To stay updated on activities, follow the Town on Facebook.com/QueenCreek and X.com/TownofQC.

Media Contact:
Eric Everts, Public Information Administrator
480-358-3196
QCPIO@QueenCreekAZ.gov