Proposition 497 would double the Yavapai County Jail District sales-tax component.
The proposal would increase the existing Jail District excise (sales) tax from ¼ cent to ½ cent per dollar on taxable purchases. That means an additional $0.0025 per taxable dollar—not a doubling of every sales tax charged in the County. If approved, the increase would begin July 1, 2027, and continue for 20 years.
What an extra quarter-cent looks like
Illustrations for purchases assumed to be fully taxable. This is the proposed additional Jail District tax only.
$100 purchase
+$0.25
$1,000 purchase
+$2.50
$5,000 purchase
+$12.50
Actual tax depends on applicable rules and which items are taxable. These figures do not represent the total sales-tax rate or an annual household estimate.
Source for the proposed tax amount and term: Yavapai County’s official Proposition 497 ballot language.
Start here
Understand Proposition 497 — what the measure would change and what YES or NO means.
Examine the financial facts — compare the County’s projections with historical financial records and read plain-language source summaries.
Voting information — check key dates, voting options, and official County instructions.
Estimate the proposed additional tax
Proposition 497 · Tax estimator
What could the extra quarter-cent cost?
Enter a taxable purchase amount. The estimate shows only the proposed additional Jail District tax.
Type an amount or choose a sample below.
Estimate only: 0.25% of the amount entered, assuming the entire purchase is taxable. This is not the total sales-tax rate or an annual household estimate. Actual treatment depends on applicable tax rules. If approved, the proposed increase would begin July 1, 2027, and last 20 years.
What the additional quarter-cent means
| Taxable purchase amount | Additional tax under Prop. 497 |
|---|---|
| $100 | $0.25 |
| $500 | $1.25 |
| $1,000 | $2.50 |
| $5,000 | $12.50 |
These are illustrations of the added Jail District tax only, assuming the full amount shown is taxable. Actual tax depends on which purchases are taxable and the applicable tax rules. The amounts are not a forecast of any household’s annual spending or total tax bill.
What a YES or NO vote means
YES: Approves the additional one-quarter-cent Jail District tax. If approved, the increase would begin July 1, 2027, and continue for 20 years.
NO: Rejects the proposed tax increase. A NO vote does not itself choose a replacement funding source or remove existing jail costs. Voters can reasonably ask the County to explain alternatives, costs, and public reporting regardless of the result.
The County says approval would ease General Fund pressure and allow lower property taxes. The materials reviewed do not guarantee a specific property-tax reduction for an individual household. See Facts & Documents for the County’s estimates, historical actuals, and unanswered questions.
Why we oppose the increase
- It is a long-term tax commitment: the proposed increase would continue for 20 years.
- The County’s future estimate needs scrutiny: the ballot description identifies $41.44 million per year in estimated future Jail District revenue needs, but the ballot text does not include a detailed year-by-year 20-year forecast.
- Residents deserve a clear comparison of alternatives: the public should be able to understand the assumptions behind projected costs, the options considered, and how actual spending would be reported.
The County’s figures and statements are summarized on this website with attribution. Our concerns and questions are campaign analysis, not findings made by an auditor or election authority.
Review the details
Proposition 497 — Ballot Language & Key Facts →
Facts & Documents — Financial figures and source summaries →
Voting Information — Dates and voting options →
Official information: The Yavapai County ballot description determines the formal effect of YES and NO votes. Election procedures and official ballot materials should be confirmed with County Elections.
Frequently asked questions
What would Proposition 497 change?
It would add one-quarter cent ($0.0025) per taxable dollar to the existing Yavapai County Jail District excise tax. The Jail District component would rise from ¼ cent to ½ cent per dollar. If approved, the change would begin July 1, 2027, and last 20 years.
Would it double all sales taxes?
No. It would double the Jail District tax component, not the entire sales-tax rate. Other state, county, city, and district taxes are separate components.
How do I estimate the additional tax on a purchase?
Multiply the taxable purchase amount by 0.0025. For example, a $40 taxable purchase adds $0.10; a $200 taxable purchase adds $0.50; and a $1,000 taxable purchase adds $2.50. This estimates only the proposed additional Jail District tax and assumes the full purchase amount is taxable.
What does a NO vote mean?
According to the official ballot language, a NO vote rejects the proposed additional one-quarter-cent Jail District tax. A NO vote does not itself select a replacement funding source or eliminate the County’s existing jail costs.
Does the County guarantee a property-tax reduction if the measure passes?
The County says approval would ease General Fund pressure and allow lower property taxes. The materials reviewed do not guarantee a specific property-tax reduction for an individual household, so visitors should treat that as the County’s stated potential effect rather than a promised personal saving.
Where can I review the source material?
This site summarizes the main points in plain language. Readers can compare the summary with the official Proposition 497 ballot language, the County Jail District funding explanation, and the County sample ballot and publicity pamphlet page. See Facts & Documents for the financial figures and questions discussed on this site.
Page reviewed October 9, 2026. Official County records and current election instructions control if information changes.