Maricopa County officials have approved a budget which includes millions of dollars for employee bonuses.
The Arizona Republic reports the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a $2.3 billion budget Monday. The budget earmarks $15.3 million in contingency funds for work bonuses while the county starts a fifth year without giving merit-based raises.
Deputy county budget director Sandi Wilson says while other jurisdictions are handing out raises, Maricopa County simply doesn’t have the money right now.
Officials say the fiscal 2013 budget is about $72 million less than the previous year. They say revenue is likely to be $66 million lower. The board opted not to raise property taxes.
Maricopa County’s revenue is generated mostly from sales taxes, car-license taxes, property taxes and other fees.
