The Buckeye City Council on Tuesday adopted its final spending plan for fiscal year 2027, setting the total budget at $765,436,200, down about $51 million from 2026.
Chief Financial Officer Keith Fallstrom said the adoption is the near-final step in a months‑long process that began with internal staff meetings, executive presentations and one‑on‑one briefings with council members.
The tentative budget was adopted at the prior meeting; council approved the final version Tuesday following a Truth-in-Taxation hearing.
Tax levy cap, new construction and rate impact
Fallstrom explained the Truth-in-Taxation hearing was required to allow a 2% increase in the property tax levy, plus revenue from new construction.
Fallstrom said the current fiscal year (2026) levy is $16,678,998; new construction alone would add about $1.2 million. Combined, the maximum the city could levy for FY2027 would be roughly $18.2 million.
Under the proposed levy, a home with $100,000 in assessed value would face a primary levy cost of about $155.68. Fallstrom noted that while the primary levy rate has trended downward in recent years, most homeowners still see increases when assessed values rise.
The combined primary and secondary levies — the latter used for general obligation bond debt service — total about $2.25 per $100.
"This year's budget strategy prioritizes fiscal responsibility through conservative revenue estimates, a balanced General Fund and a fully funded capital improvement program," the city said in a prepared statement to InBuckeye Magazine. "With a budget of $297 million for capital improvement projects, Buckeye will enhance the quality of life for its residents. Some of next Fiscal Year’s capital improvement projects include:
- New fire stations for Victory & Westpark
- A Public Safety Training Facility
- A Library located in Festival Foothills
- Jackrabbit Trail roadway improvements
- Verrado Way Intersection improvements
"Buckeye is committed to maintaining strong financial health through a balanced budget and conservative revenue projections," the statment reads. "This responsible approach allows us to invest in our future while ensuring residents continue to receive the high-quality services and amenities they expect."
Next steps
Tonight’s action finalizes the budget document; the council is scheduled to adopt the property tax levy on June 16.
