The rich Sun Belt suburb that sued its mayor over pickleball

Pickleball is a divisive issue in many parts of America, but in one wealthy Sun Belt suburb the fight has ended up in the law courts.

Residents of Gilbert, Arizona, have sued their officials over a tax hike to pay for the construction of more pickleball courts, among other amenities.

They say the tax is illegal, and that officials must find other ways to fund 16 new courts, a 'ninja warrior' assault course, a kids' splash pad and other projects.

The town says its 2 percent sales tax, which took effect on January 1, is legal, and needed for improvements to the plush Phoenix suburb.

Beyond just Gilbert, the rapidly growing game of pickleball has stoked tensions nationwide.

The thwacking of pickleballs annoys those living within earshot of the game, and tennis players complain when courts are dug over for the newcomer sport.

But in the affluent Arizona suburb known for its lakefront homes, it became a hot-button issue when officials cited it as a reason for jacking up taxes.

Jonathan Barth, a teacher and dad-of-five, is among those suing his town.

He says the tax 'makes it all the more difficult to make ends meet in Gilbert.'

Last October, town council members voted to raise the sales tax rate from 1.5 percent to finance the pickleball courts and 22 other schemes.

They said that 'time is of the essence' to deliver these 'critical infrastructure projects' to some 280,000 residents.

As well as upping the sales tax, councillors also green-lit levies for online sales and hotels, motels, or other lodging.

The $55 million extra raised each year would fund the town's parks, police, and fire departments, they said.

The Freestone Park pickleball complex alone is set to cost more than $16 million.   

But Barth and other Gilbert residents call the tax unfair and last month sued the city in Maricopa County's Superior Court to stop it.

Barthes is doubly hit by the hikes, because he has a side-hustle renting out a private bungalow on his property that's subject to the lodging levy.

The 15-page lawsuit says the taxes were imposed in breach of Arizona's Constitution, which forbids tax hikes on those providing services in the state.

The Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA) also signed on to the complaint, saying construction would be unfairly hit by the hikes.

Jackson Moll, the group's CEO, says construction contractors will have to pass on the extra costs to homebuyers.

'Gilbert officials are trampling on their own constituents' rights with no regard for the consequences of their illegal actions,' says Moll.

The suit is backed by the Goldwater Institute, a conservative Arizona think tank, which says it's won cases against Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe and other local governments in the state.

Gilbert's former mayor Brigette Peterson, who recently completed her term, and other officials named in the papers did not answer our request for comment.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, town officials defended the tax hikes as needed to maintain the 'exceptionally high quality of life' in Gilbert.

'Contrary to the claims made by the Goldwater Institute in the lawsuit, the taxes are in full compliance with Arizona law and the Arizona Constitution,' says the statement.

'Our legal team has thoroughly reviewed the relevant statutes and precedents to ensure that any tax increase and associated processes strictly adhere to the requirements of state law.'

Though Gilbert's officials talk up life in their community, the calm there has been rattled in recent months by a group of young men who have been terrorizing its suburbs in recent years.

The 'Gilbert Goons,' as the hoodlums are known, were last year designated as a criminal street gang, putting an uncomfortable spotlight on what was once billed as the country's second-safest city.

The teen delinquents have allegedly terrorized the community since as far back as 2022 and have been involved in more than 100 assaults and attacks, most in Gilbert, as reported by the Arizona Republic.