FLORENCE, AZ – Calling it a Treasurer’s worst nightmare might be a stretch but the Pinal County Treasurer is re-issuing tax bills for single-family homeowners.

“To calculate the tax bill, we gather data from many sources and feed it into formulas that result in the primary and secondary tax rates,” Treasurer Dodie Doolittle said. “Several legislative efforts and subsequent vetoes by the Governor affected the taxes for education. The reduction rate forwarded to us by the School Superintendent’s office resulted in a miscalculation of the state aid provided to homeowners for primary taxes.”

Superintendent Orlenda Roberts and Treasurer Dodie Doolittle are sending new tax statements along with letters apologizing for the error.

“According to Arizona Revised Statutes, homeowners qualify for a school reduction based on the primary tax rate. The Pinal County School Superintendent’s Office submits the reduction rate to the Treasurer for calculating tax bills,” Superintendent Roberts wrote in her letter to taxpayers. “Unfortunately, the rates initially submitted for the 2009 taxes were miscalculated and also included the schools’ secondary tax rate which is not eligible for a reduction.”

“Basically, a discount was applied across both the primary and secondary tax rate. It should have only applied to the primary rate,” Doolittle said. “We sincerely regret the error and any inconvenience this may cause.”

A copy of the letters from Superintendent Roberts and Treasurer Doolittle is attached.

Pinal County maintains and updates its website with all the latest information to keep you informed on road conditions, air quality, public health, public works projects and other important information. Visit and bookmark www.pinalcountyaz.gov to stay informed.

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Dear Taxpayer,

As you are aware, the Governor and Legislature have been unable to agree upon legislation to address funding for schools. The Governor vetoed on September 4, 2009 the most recent legislation presented to her. This veto resulted in changes to property taxes and severely limited the time available to staff to prepare the 2009 tax notices. Regardless of these limitations, I cannot fully excuse the mistakes made by my office.

According to Arizona Revised Statutes, homeowners qualify for a school reduction based on the primary tax rate. The Pinal County School Superintendent’s Office submits the reduction rate to the Treasurer for calculating tax bills. Unfortunately, the rates initially submitted for the 2009 taxes were miscalculated and also included the schools’ secondary tax rate which is not eligible for a reduction.

As a result, the 2009 tax notice mailed to you in September contained an error and corrected replacement tax notices are being sent to you by the Pinal County Treasurer. My staff and I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this miscalculation causes. If you have any questions regarding the taxes, please call 1-888-431-1311.

Orlenda F. Roberts
Pinal County School Superintendent

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Dear Taxpayer,

Enclosed with this letter is a replacement tax notice that contains corrected tax information and shows the corrected amounts now due on the attached payment coupons. IF YOU HAVE NOT made payment upon the tax notice mailed in September, the payment coupons enclosed with this corrected tax notice will show the full and correct amount of your tax liability, and should be used in place of the coupons mailed in September.

IF YOU HAVE paid either the first half or full year taxes using the incorrect payment coupon, the coupon below reflects only the balance remaining to be paid. IF YOU HAVE paid either the first half or full year taxes using the incorrect payment coupon (from the September mailing), and your payment is not reflected on the enclosed payment coupons, please subtract the amount paid from the total on the corresponding coupon.

We understand how important it is for you to have accurate information and wish to convey our apologies for the inconvenience. If you have any questions, please call 1-888-431-1311.

Dolores “Dodie” J. Doolittle
Pinal County Treasurer

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