Mesa Plans to Double Property Tax to Pay for Cubs Spring Training Facility

The City of Mesa has decided the best way to fund a new Chicago Cubs spring training project is to implement a new property tax. This is the second time in two years that the city has proposed using a secondary property tax to raise bonding money. The last occasion was in 2008 when $170 million in bonds were approved by voters to pay for roadways and essential safety services. Back then officials estimated that the impact of the tax would be about $50 annually on a home valued at $250,000. However, as frequently happens with government estimates, the actual amount has ended up being 50% higher. There is no reason to believe the current situation would be any different. Today, officials estimate the impact of the Cubs tax as being about $60 on a $250,000 home. No doubt the actual amount will again be somewhat more.