Are Oro Valley Revenues Keeping Pace With Spending? A Look At The Numbers

How do revenues and expenditures track?
Questions about whether Oro Valley revenues are keeping pace with spending have surfaced during recent budget discussions and in this year’s election season. 

It is a simple question with a complicated answer

The Town operates through roughly fifteen different funds. These include the General Fund, Water Utility Fund, Highway Fund, Capital Fund, Community Center Fund, and others. They serve different purposes and receive money from different sources. The General Fund, however, is the Town’s largest operating fund, containing about 54% of Oro Valley’s FY2027 budgeted revenues. Because discussions about revenues and spending generally concern the Town’s core governmental operations, LOVE focused primarily on that fund.

The Town’s operating fund,  the General Fund, has consistently covered the town's operating costs
The General Fund finances many of the Town’s core services, including police, administration, parks, planning, and portions of public works. Using the Town’s ten year history, current year estimate, FY2027 recommended budget, and latest five year forecast, operating revenues exceed operating expenditures in every year. Under that measure, revenues have consistently kept pace with operating costs.

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And met an even broader set of commitments over the years
The General Fund, however, does more than pay day to day operating costs. It also funds some capital projects, debt obligations, and transfers to other activities. When those commitments are included, the picture becomes tighter. The FY2027 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget projects approximately $59.3 million in General Fund revenues compared with roughly $60.7 million in total General Fund obligations, including operating spending, transfers, debt support, and other commitments. That difference contributes to a projected decline in General Fund balance. However, the Town does not expect that pattern to continue indefinitely. In later years of the five year forecast, revenues are projected to again exceed broader obligations.

While maintaining at least a 25% reserve level

Even with the projected decline, the Town is not forecasting reserves below its adopted policy minimum. The FY2027 recommended budget projects an ending General Fund balance of about $13.8 million. That remains above the Town’s required 25% reserve threshold. The Town’s five year forecast likewise projects reserves remaining at or above the adopted 25% policy level throughout the forecast period.

All of which has required careful financial management
Our reading of the numbers is not that Oro Valley faces a financial crisis. Rather, the numbers suggest that the Town will need careful financial management during the next several years. Choices will need to be made regarding capital spending, spending priorities, and finding ways to reduce operating costs. That is not unusual. Town staff has never received every dollar requested for projects or spending.

The question going forward is not whether Oro Valley revenues are keeping pace expenditures because they are...The question is how well Council and staff can manage competing priorities within a tighter financial environment. 

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Note: Data compiled for this analysis came from multiple Town of Oro Valley financial sources, including ten comprehensive annual financial reports, a town staff March FY2026 General Fund estimate, the FY2027 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget as initially submitted, the FY2027 Capital Improvement Program that is in that budget and town staff's most recent five year General Fund forecast. LOVE reconciled these sources to develop the analysis used in this article.

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Bits and Pieces

County outlines eviction assistance program
On May 20, Pima County staff presented the Emergency Eviction Legal Services, EELS, program to the Oro Valley Town Council. The program provides legal assistance, rental aid, shelter access, rehousing help, and job referrals for tenants facing eviction. Since its creation in 2021, the County reports that 3,725 households have received legal services, 3,500 have received rental assistance, and more than 80% of households leaving emergency shelter moved to positive housing destinations. Annual program costs include about $1.8 million for rental assistance and $400,000 for legal services. Most program clients, about 80%, live within the City of Tucson.

Indoor recreation center proposal being considered at Suffolk and Oracle

A proposed commercial project near the northeast corner of Suffolk Drive and Oracle Road would bring a roughly 25,000 square foot family recreation center, restaurant, and retail space to the site. According to Town materials, the proposal includes an indoor Kids That Rip (KTR) action sports facility featuring trampolines, sport courts, obstacle courses, and other family recreation uses. The project requires rezoning from Residential Service, R-S, to Neighborhood Commercial, C-N, along with a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 25,000 square foot single tenant family recreation center that exceeds the zoning code’s standard 5,000 square foot tenant limit. The project underwent a March neighborhood meeting that, according to Town staff, generated a mix of resident support and concerns, including questions about traffic, drainage, flooding, noise, and neighborhood compatibility. Some residents supported having a local indoor family recreation option. The company has six locations in the Phoenix area.  (Project details)

OVPD reports: Some e-bikes may be considered motorcycles under Arizona Law

The May/June OVPD CrimeFighter newsletter says officers are seeing a “significant increase” in juveniles operating electric dirt bikes and other non street legal vehicles on Oro Valley roads and multi use paths. The department warned parents that some high powered vehicles marketed as e-bikes, including certain Surron, Talaria, and similar models, may legally qualify as motorcycles under Arizona law, requiring registration, insurance, and a motorcycle endorsement. OVPD said illegally operated vehicles may be stopped and impounded. 

Oro Valley Resident Tim Tarris Leaves Monday on 48 State "Jenny Flight" For Air Corps Centennial

Retired pilot plans 48 state flight
Oro Valley resident Tim Tarris is a retired military and airline pilot. Monday, Tarris will fly a replica World War I era Jenny aircraft through 48 states, crossing the country at about 60 to 65 miles per hour in an open cockpit aircraft that flies low, only in daylight, and only in good weather. He plans to conclude the trip at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia on July 1, 2026.

The flight commemorates the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Built the Jenny over seven months
Tarris tells us that the aircraft took about seven months to build from a kit with help from eight to ten people. The replica uses a 100 horsepower Rotax engine, cruises at about 65 miles per hour, and has a maximum gross weight of 1,250 pounds.

A very different kind of flying
This is not a modern aircraft. Tarris describes it as extremely small, with an open cockpit and room for only the pilot. It is so small that he has to crawl into the cockpit from the back. And, there is not room for movement when he gets there.  He will fly under visual flight rules only as the plane has no lights and is intended for daytime flying. Tarris said weather will be one of the biggest challenges of the cross country trip.

Long aviation career
An Ohio native and graduate of Capital University, Tarris entered aviation through Air Force ROTC. During a 30 year military career, he flew the F-111, A-7, and F-16. He later worked as an airline pilot and is a commercial and instrument rated pilot, flight instructor, author, Experimental Aircraft Association member, and Daedalian.

Personal motivation behind the project
In discussing the project, Tarris said the flight is about more than aviation history. He spoke about losing friends and relatives over the years and wanting to pursue meaningful goals while he can: “I’m living for the right now,” he said during an interview about the effort.

Honoring aviation history
The commemorative flight is centered on the historic Curtiss JN “Jenny,” which served as a primary military trainer during World War I. Project materials state that the return of a Jenny style aircraft to Langley is intended to honor the men and women who have served the nation’s military aviation mission over the past century.

Follow Tim's flight on FlightAware. The plane tail number is 522VT.

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Vistoso Marketplace Concept Reopens Woodburne...Rancho Vistoso ... Tangerine Traffic Discussion

Study session links roadway safety and possible new marketplace
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council held a study session on one of the Town’s more difficult traffic areas: the area around Woodburne Avenue, Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, the Safeway northern access, and Tangerine Road. Public Works Director Paul Keesler told council that the Safeway northern access and the Woodburne Avenue/Rancho Vistoso Boulevard intersection have about five to six crashes a year. He said that number has long concerned the Town.

Roadway discussion reminds all of Avilla-era traffic concerns

The last major council discussion of this area occurred during the 2024 review of the Avilla Homes proposal. That proposal was not approved after residents and council members raised traffic and roadway concerns. Last week’s discussion brought back many of those same issues. They included traffic near the Safeway northern access, left turns onto and off Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, the possible use of the Safeway rear access area, the location of a new traffic signal, and traffic backing into travel lanes. 

A 2027 lane and roadway reconfiguration plan...

The Town’s current plan is in the 2027 budget. It is to reconfigure the lanes, increase left-turn storage, and to rebuild the median between Woodburne Avenue and the Safeway northern access. One day, the town would like to add a traffic signal there. Staff said the lane changes would address many existing crash factors. Staff also said a future signal would address the remaining safety issues by controlling left turns and reducing the need for U-turns at Woodburne Avenue. Staff identified about $747,000 in impact-fee funding for lane reconfiguration in the proposed capital improvement plan.

...Paused to consider impact of "Vistoso Marketplace"
Staff was planning this work when they learned of a possible commercial project on the southwest corner of Rancho Vistoso Boulevard and Woodburne Road. It is called Vistoso Marketplace. The concept for includes a Sprouts Farmers Market as the anchor tenant, a retail building, and possible pad uses on the south side of the property. 

The project will affect traffic in the area because it will add new commercial activity near an intersection already under review for safety concerns. The project has not yet been submitted as a formal development application. It remains in the early stages. It is being proposed by W.M. Grace Companies.

Residents echo concerns... "Though we're happy with Sprouts..."
Mayor Winfield took the unusual step of accepting audience comments when the study session discussion began. Several residents spoke. Their comments echoed many of the concerns raised years earlier in  the Avilla Homes review. They questioned why the item was being discussed before a formal application had been filed. They also urged the Town to consider the full traffic effect of the project and future development in the area before deciding on roadway changes. One resident captured the reaction, saying, “Sprouts, hey, we love Sprouts,” but adding that the full shopping center puts the matter “into a whole different ballgame.”

Key decisions remain ahead
Council did not approve the Vistoso Marketplace project. It did not approve the planned road design. It did not approve a new traffic signal. This was an early discussion of how the Town might address an existing traffic safety problem while also planning for possible commercial development at the same intersection. The central question going forward is whether the Town can improve safety and traffic flow in an area that already has problems, while also accounting for a commercial project that has not yet been formally submitted for review.

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Council Scales Back Town's Tourism Master Plan

Council approves a modified plan
Last Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council approved a modified version of the Town’s Leisure Travel Destination Management Plan by a 6-1 vote. The approval excluded Section 5, “Big Ideas and Action Plans,” except for the Tohono Chul expansion concept. Council also added language stating that approving the plan does not authorize projects, capital spending, staffing increases, policy changes, or implementation actions without future council approval. In other words, any actions will have to come before council during a budget approval process.

What council "approved"
The plan is intended as a 10-year roadmap for leisure tourism in Oro Valley. It focuses on generating tourism tied to outdoor recreation, wellness, arts, culture, dining, sports, and community events , It does not focus on building business travel or convention activity. The plan recommends a regional events and festivals strategy to address summer seasonality, increasing sports tourism and evaluating additional sports facilities, activating Steam Pump Ranch as a cultural and culinary venue, creating themed visitor itineraries and trail guides, expanding boutique and wellness lodging options, and establishing resident tourism sentiment tracking and additional performance measures.

Staff presented economic scenarios

As part of its presentation, staff showed example first year scenarios for selected recommendations. A regional events and festivals strategy assumed 5,000 additional Tucson visitors spending $50 per day and 1,000 Phoenix visitors spending $100 per day, producing an estimated $325,000 in economic activity and about $4,000 in Town bed and sales taxes. A sports tourism example modeled a small regional market capture with visitors staying three days, producing an estimated $520,000 in economic activity and about $6,500 in Town taxes. Other examples included a Steam Pump Ranch strategy estimated at $150,000 in revenue activity and about $1,900 in Town taxes, and a culinary tourism scenario estimated at $400,000 in activity and about $10,000 in taxes.

Why this matters

The purpose of the Town’s tourism strategy is to attract additional visitors who spend money in Oro Valley, generating economic activity, supporting local businesses, and increasing Town tax revenues. As part of that effort, the Town recently reported estimated economic impacts of nine selected FY2025-26 tourism events. Staff discussed these at last week's Tourism Advisory Commission Meeting.  The events ranged from major events such as the Legendary Women’s Cup and Tucson Marathon to smaller festivals and community events. Together, staff estimated that these events generated $3 million to $4 million in economic activity. LOVE translated those figures into approximate Town revenue impacts using Oro Valley tax rates and also analyzed the reported hotel room activity tied to several events. See the above panel for those calculations, including estimated bed and sales tax impacts, and for an explanation of how the Town says tourism event impacts are calculated.

Process has been underway for months
The plan  cost the town $150,000.  It has gone through months of review involving staff, the Tourism Advisory Commission, and council discussions. Staff described the plan as a community-based framework shaped through research, stakeholder engagement, resident surveys, and tourism analysis intended to guide future tourism-related decisions.

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Bits and Pieces

No Turn On Red

There is one traffic light intersection in Oro Valley where drivers are not allowed to make a right turn on red. Can you guess which one it is?  It is the intersection of Tangerine Road and Oracle Road, specifically for traffic heading eastbound on Tangerine and turning southbound onto Oracle. Lieutenant Eric Larter of the Oro Valley Police Department told LOVE that the “No Turn on Red” restriction for eastbound Tangerine Road turning southbound onto Oracle Road exists because Oracle has a 55 mph speed limit at that location and southbound drivers come over a crest just north of the intersection before heading downhill toward Oro Valley Marketplace. According to Larter, the restriction is intended to reduce the risk of collisions between high speed southbound traffic and vehicles accelerating from a stop on Tangerine. He also noted that quite a few drivers attempt the turn and that officers often stop motorists there simply to educate them about the restriction and signage.

Memorial Day remembrance Monday

A Memorial Day remembrance ceremony is planned for Monday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park. The event will honor the men and women who gave their lives in military service to the nation. The event is hosted by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 132 and Arizona Heroes Memorial.

🎈🎈🎈Congratulations: CDO Softball wins State Championship

Canyon Del Oro High School softball captured the AIA 4A state championship Monday, earning the program’s 10th state title, its first since 2017. The championship run required winning five straight games in a 16 team tournament that began May 2, a feat only one team can achieve. CDO dominated early, shutting out opponents in its first three games, then won its final two contests by one run. The accomplishment is particularly notable because the team’s pitcher, Savanna Mares, is a freshman. Mares was a key force in the 2026 season, compiling a 21-6 record in a year that included a perfect game with 20 strikeouts. Congratulations as well to CDO Coach Kelly Fowler and the entire Dorados team on another state title. The 2026 championship run was powered by a freshman standout, a team that hit when it mattered, and a coach who knows how to win. (Assist from All Sports Tucson)

Explore Oro Valley tourism website launches today

Oro Valley’s new destination marketing website, ExploreOroValley.com will launch today after 11 a.m., according to Destination Marketing Manager Crystal Frank. It was presented to council Wednesday.  The site is the culmination of roughly a year of work. It is intended to support tourism, community awareness, and local business visibility. Frank described it as more than a website, calling it a new destination identity for Oro Valley. The site includes interactive features for events, dining, outdoor recreation, arts, lodging, trip planning, and mobile use, along with a new tourism focused brand and logo system separate from the Town’s official seal and logo. The branding and website effort cost about $175,000, according to Economic Development Director Paul Melcher.

Water customers will need to switch usage tracking apps on June 30

Oro Valley water customers who use the Town’s WaterSmart portal to monitor water use will need to move to a new platform called SpryPoint beginning June 30. According to Town Manager Jeff Wilkins, current WaterSmart users will need to register again and reenter their information in the new system. The change primarily affects customers who actively track their household water use.

Golder Ranch highlights fall prevention app NYMBL

Golder Ranch Fire District is encouraging residents to consider using the NYMBL balance training app, a mobile program designed to help reduce the risk of falls. According to Golder Ranch Fire District materials, the app combines balance exercises with cognitive training activities intended to improve stability, coordination, reaction time, and confidence during everyday movement. The district’s materials state that the program is aimed primarily at older adults and can be completed in about 10 minutes a day using a smartphone or tablet.

Council approves Sun City fountain

The Oro Valley Town Council voted 6–1 Wednesday to allow restoration of the Lion’s Head fountain at the Sun City Oro Valley Recreation Center in Rancho Vistoso. The action approved a site specific zoning amendment allowing the ornamental fountain to return. A council decision on this was needed because Town code prohibits new ornamental fountains. Supporters argued the redesigned fountain would use substantially less water and include conservation features such as rainwater harvesting. Opponents cited drought concerns, water conservation policy, and the precedent of granting an exception. Councilmember Joyce Jones Ivey cast the lone dissenting vote. Readers interested in the background and arguments on both sides can review LOVE’s earlier article on the proposal.  

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Rockin’ 4 Heroes Backs Law Enforcement Education With New Support Fund

Rockin’ 4 Heroes To Help Law Enforcement Officers Pursue Continuing Education
Law enforcement officers across Southern Arizona working to advance their careers through continuing education and training now have a new source of support. A newly established program from Rockin’ 4 Heroes is providing financial assistance to help officers pursue their educational goals.

The Law Enforcement Support Fund is open to active duty officers enrolled in educational programs that enhance their professional growth, whether working toward an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, leadership development, or specialized advanced certifications.

“This Law Enforcement Support Fund is just one way for us to show how much we appreciate and recognize the men and women in blue who selflessly serve and protect our community,” said Bonnie Quinn, who, along with her husband, Michael, founded Rockin’ 4 Heroes six years ago.

First awards presented to six Oro Valley police officers
In a pilot program last year, Rockin’ 4 Heroes awarded grants to six officers from the Oro Valley Police Department.

“Rockin’ 4 Heroes’ commitment to helping first responders pursue their goals is inspiring. This scholarship not only eases the financial burden, it also motivates me to continue working hard and giving back to the community,” said Zachary Young, Commander, Field Services Division, Oro Valley Police Department, and a 2025 grant recipient who completed his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice this month.

Kara Riley, Chief of Police for the Oro Valley Police Department, added: “I am grateful to Rockin’ 4 Heroes for their generous grants that enable first responders to further their educational goals, allowing future opportunities and personal growth that will benefit them in their current roles and future endeavors.”

Nominations deadline is June 30, 2026
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of individual officers by their supervisors in an email to Bonnie@Rockin4Heroes.org. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2026.

Rockin’ 4 Heroes was established to honor first responders, active military, veterans, and Gold Star families. In addition to the Law Enforcement Support Fund, the organization supports initiatives that benefit these heroes and their families, including the Rockin’ 4 Heroes Jacob Dindinger EMT Scholarship at Pima Community College and the Rockin’ 4 Heroes Veteran Student Endowment at the University of Arizona.

The nonprofit celebrates and publicly honors these groups through its signature event, the annual Rockin’ 4 Heroes Concert, one of Southern Arizona’s largest free outdoor concerts. The 6th annual community event is Sunday, November 8, at James D. Kriegh Park in Oro Valley. For more information, visit www.Rockin4Heroes.org.

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