Serving on the Town Council: What the Job Involves

Elected officials have defined responsibilities

What does a Council member actually do?

Several weeks ago, the Oro Valley Town Council voted to adjust the stipend its members receive for their service to the community. The decision prompted questions on social media about what serving on the Town Council actually involves. What are councilmembers required to do? What additional responsibilities do they undertake? And how much time does the job require? We thought it would be useful to examine the duties of Oro Valley's mayor and councilmembers, distinguishing between responsibilities established by law and Town policies and the additional activities elected officials undertake in serving the community.

Elected officials have defined responsibilities
Serving as mayor or a member of the Oro Valley Town Council is more than attending two Council meetings each month. These are elected positions with specific responsibilities established by Arizona law, the Town's Parliamentary Rules and Procedures, and Council policies. Although there is no prescribed workweek or minimum number of hours, both positions require ongoing attention to Town business. Some responsibilities are mandatory, while others involve choices about how much time and effort an elected official devotes to public service.

 

Council meetings are only the beginning
Councilmembers are expected to attend regular Council meetings, generally scheduled twice monthly, along with special meetings, study sessions and executive sessions as needed. They must also prepare for these meetings by reviewing agenda materials and obtaining the information necessary to make informed decisions. Depending on the issues under consideration, that preparation may include reviewing lengthy reports, financial documents, proposed ordinances and development plans. The Town's rules establish a duty to prepare but do not specify how many hours that preparation should take.

 
Assignments add to the workload
Councilmembers also serve as liaisons to internal Town boards and commissions and, when appointed, represent Oro Valley on external boards, agencies and organizations. These assignments involve understanding the organizations' activities, communicating relevant information and representing the Town's interests. Councilmembers also rotate through service on the Council Agenda Committee. These are official responsibilities associated with particular assignments, rather than duties every councilmember performs at all times.

 
The mayor has additional responsibilities
The mayor performs the general duties of a councilmember but also presides over Council meetings, participates in developing meeting agendas and fulfills additional leadership responsibilities. The mayor represents Oro Valley in intergovernmental relationships, facilitates communication among elected and appointed officials and serves as a spokesperson for the community. However, Oro Valley operates under a council-manager form of government. The Town Manager, rather than the mayor, is responsible for the day-to-day administration of Town operations.

 
Other activities contribute to the job
Much of an elected official's time may also be spent meeting with constituents, discussing issues with the Town Manager or staff, attending community events, participating in regional conferences and representing Oro Valley at public functions. Some of these activities are associated with formal assignments. Others are undertaken at the official's discretion. The Town's rules require councilmembers to be reasonably available to residents, but do not prescribe how many constituent meetings they must hold or how many community events they must attend.

 
A real job without a defined workweek
The mayor and councilmembers hold positions that carry legal responsibilities, require preparation and involve consequential decisions affecting Oro Valley residents. Yet these positions differ from conventional employment. There is no established 20-hour or 40-hour workweek, and much of the time devoted to constituent outreach, community participation and the level of effort is determined by the individual officeholder. This distinction is important when considering Council compensation. The positions involve real work, but their required activities and actual time commitments are not necessarily the same for each member. Understanding both provides a more complete picture of what it means to serve on the Oro Valley Town Council.

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Tomorrow Night: Oro Valley Reconsiders Small-Scale Farming Restrictions

Town seeks public input animal farming regulations

Tomorrow night, the Town will host a neighborhood meeting to gather public input on possible changes to its small-scale farming regulations. The changes would allow residents on certain large residential properties to keep more farm animals, raise roosters and other male fowl, and process animals on their properties. The proposal's focus is on the Calle Concordia and Calle Loma Linda area, where small-scale farming has been a longstanding activity.

👉 The discussion has broad implications for all residents because changes to farming regulations in one neighborhood will influence future zoning decisions elsewhere in Town, impacting residents who may want to raise animals or produce their own food.

In 2024, the State acted to protect backyard chicken ownership
In 2024, the Arizona Legislature passed HB 2325, requiring municipalities to allow residents of qualifying single-family homes to keep up to six backyard chickens. The legislation was intended to protect property owners' ability to raise chickens by limiting municipal restrictions. It established a statewide minimum allowance while permitting local governments to regulate such matters as sanitation, enclosures, and nuisances. 

👉 The State law was designed to expand opportunities for residents to raise chickens, not to restrict existing farming activities

The Oro Valley council responed by restricting longstanding farming rights
For decades, Oro Valley permitted farming on properties zoned R1-144, generally lots of at least 144,000 square feet, or approximately 3.3 acres. These properties could accommodate unlimited numbers of poultry, rabbits, and similar small animals, including roosters, although larger livestock were subject to limits. The Town's review of animal-husbandry regulations actually began in 2023, before the state passed its backyard chicken law. Staff sought to expand animal-keeping opportunities on smaller residential lots while protecting neighbors from noise, odors, and other nuisances. However, when Council adopted Ordinance (O)24-08 in September 2024, it restricted activities previously permitted on larger farming properties. The ordinance limited chickens to 24, other small animals to six, prohibited male fowl, and expressly banned on-site animal processing. The processing prohibition followed a question raised during an earlier Council study session, after which staff added the restriction. 

👉 None of the town's additional restrictions on large residential farming properties was required by the state legislation.

Existing farms retained their original rights through grandfathering provisions or pre-annexation agreement
An April 20, 2026, zoning interpretation issued by Planning and Zoning Administrator Bayer Vella confirmed that qualifying farms established before the 2024 ordinance may continue operating under earlier animal-raising regulations. These farms can retain unlimited numbers of poultry, rabbits, and similar small animals, including roosters, provided their operations have continued without a six-month interruption. The interpretation also recognizes that certain pre-annexation agreements may provide additional protections. 

The Town is now considering increasing the number of animals permitted and potentially allowing previously prohibited farming activities
The Town is considering allowing up to 36 chickens, compared with the current limit of 24, and increasing the limit for other small farm animals from six to nine on qualifying large residential lots. These increases would require unanimous neighbor acceptance, following a regulatory approach used by Pima County. Other options include allowing male fowl up to four months old and permitting on-site animal processing for personal consumption, with commercial processing requiring a Conditional Use Permit. These are preliminary options presented by Town staff, not changes that Council has approved.

One of which is a 2024 ban on animal processing
The Town's April 2026 zoning interpretation confirms that qualifying existing farms may continue raising unlimited numbers of small animals, including roosters, but does not address processing. Based on our review of the Town's zoning history, small-scale on-site animal processing was not explicitly regulated until 2024, when Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting it. This created an unusual situation: Residents may raise chickens for food but cannot processing them on their own property. The Town is now reconsidering that restriction as part of its proposed zoning changes. Meanwhile, we believe some residents who processed animals before the 2024 ban have continued doing so, believing their activities are protected by grandfathered rights. Whether the Town recognizes those protections remains unresolved.

Vice-Mayor Robb says that these kind of changes would help to restore farming rights and improve food affordability
Vice Mayor Elizabeth Robb, who operates a small farming business in the area, believes the Town's 2024 amendments unnecessarily restricted farming activities previously available to property owners. She describes reconsidering those restrictions as "righting a wrong." Robb also sees the effort as a way to improve food affordability and access. "As someone who grows and raises food, I want to ensure that Oro Valley isn't inadvertently restricting anyone's ability to access and/or grow/raise food," she told LOVE. Robb also points to affordability as a growing concern, noting that she has observed more farmers market customers using senior, WIC, and SNAP food assistance benefits.

👉 Robb supports removing non essential restrictions on community gardens, food distribution programs, and residents producing their own food. 

Residents invited to participate tomorrow night
The Town's neighborhood meeting will take place Thursday, November 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Canyon Del Oro Bible Church, 9200 N. Oracle Road. Residents can review the Town's information page for additional details.
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Note: The staff efforts in this area follow the council discussion last April. Read about that here.
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Update: Town Staff...Planning and Zoning Commission Backs KTR Recreation Center Proposal At Suffolk and Oracle

Note: We have updated this article to include Planning and Zoning Commission of this proposal.  See end of article

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Planning Commission to consider proposed recreation and commercial development tonight
The Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposed commercial development at the northeast corner of Oracle Road and Suffolk Drive. As LOVE reported in May, the development would feature a 25,000-square-foot Kids That Rip (KTR) indoor recreation facility, along with approximately 18,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. The 4.7-acre property is currently vacant. 

👉 Town planning staff recommends approval of the development, subject to conditions intended to address traffic, noise and neighborhood compatibility.

Two separate approvals required to proceed

The property owner, LaiDar Developments LLC, is seeking two separate approvals. The first would change the property's zoning from Residential Service (R-S) to Neighborhood Commercial (C-N), allowing the proposed recreation facility, restaurants and retail businesses. The second is a conditional-use permit that would allow the KTR facility to occupy approximately 25,000 square feet, substantially exceeding the 5,000-square-foot limit ordinarily permitted for an individual business in the C-N district. Town staff recommends approval of both applications, with six conditions attached to the rezoning. The Planning and Zoning Commission will make separate recommendations on each request before Town Council makes the final decisions.

A new-formed local developer and an established recreation franchise

LaiDar Developments LLC is a Tucson-based company founded in 2025 by Firishta Gheyasi Cubillo. The company identifies the proposed Oro Valley development as its first major project. Cubillo has a professional background in behavior analysis, while Dr. Efrain Cubillo, a consultant to LaiDar, is a Tucson physician and medical practice executive. Neither has publicly documented experience developing or operating an indoor recreation center. The proposed KTR facility would operate as a franchise through a related company, LaiDar for Kids LLC. KTR is a Arizona-based indoor recreation business with six listed locations and a franchise program that provides facility design assistance, training, marketing and operational support. KTR estimates initial franchise investments of $2.4 million to $3.3 million, although the actual cost of the proposed Oro Valley facility has not been disclosed. Readers can learn more at LaiDar's website and KTR's franchise website.

Two neighborhood meetings reveal continuing concerns
Neighborhood meetings were held March 12 and October 22. According to summaries included in tonight's Commission's agenda packet, residents expressed concerns about traffic on Suffolk Drive, drainage, noise, building height, safety and the development's compatibility with the historic Suffolk Hills neighborhood. Some questioned whether the proposed commercial activity was appropriate next to existing homes. Others supported the project, citing the need for indoor recreational opportunities for children and potential economic benefits. The October meeting showed that concerns about the project's location and traffic impacts remained, despite adjustments to the proposed development.

Traffic study projects nearly 3,000 weekend trips
The applicant's traffic analysis projects approximately 1,594 vehicle trips on an average weekday and 2,934 on a weekend day. Each vehicle entering or leaving the property counts as one trip. The development would have entrances from Oracle Road and Suffolk Drive, with the Oracle Road entrance limited to right turns. Proposed improvements include a new northbound right-turn lane on Oracle Road, an eastbound left-turn lane on Suffolk Drive and a sidewalk along the property's Suffolk frontage. The Town Engineer supports the proposed access arrangement, although nearby residents have questioned whether the improvements will adequately address traffic and safety concerns.

Staff recommends six conditions to protect nearby properties
Town staff recommends six conditions as part of the rezoning approval. 

• Vehicular access to the alley east of the property would be prohibited.

• The Suffolk Drive entrance would be widened to provide one entrance lane and two exit lanes.

• The developer would install signs indicating that Suffolk Drive east of the development is for local access only.

• All buildings would be set back at least 150 feet from the eastern property line.

• Outdoor speakers and amplified sound would be prohibited.

• Illuminated signage would be prohibited on the eastern side of buildings and on the property east of the buildings.

Commission to make recommendations to Town Council
Tonight's Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing starts at 6 p.m. in the Oro Valley Town Council Chambers, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive. Residents can review the proposed development plans, traffic study and neighborhood meeting information on the Town's project webpage.

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UPDATE (November 11)
The Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously, 4-0, to recommend approval of both the proposed rezoning and conditional use permit for the KTR project. The Commission retained the staff-recommended conditions and added one requirement: a continuous tree canopy along the eastern property line, using trees of at least 36-inch box size. Commissioners also discussed restricting operating hours but did not adopt that restriction. Both applications now go to the Town Council for final consideration.

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Sunday 4PM Kreigh Park... Rockin 4'Heroes... Be There

An Oro Valley tradition returns
What began six years ago as a heartfelt thank you has become one of Oro Valley's most anticipated annual events. On Sunday, Rockin’ 4 Heroes returns to James D. Kriegh Park for its sixth annual free concert. The event brings together thousands of music lovers to honor four groups of heroes: First Responders, Active Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families. This year's concert promises even more music and an opportunity to support a growing community mission.

A bigger sound from a familiar favorite
The popular Lexington Lab Band returns with an expanded lineup, featuring additional vocalists and a horn section. The group, known for its faithful performances of classic rock favorites from the 1970s and 1980s, has developed an international following. This year's performance will feature approximately twice as many musicians as last year. Mariachi Voces de mi Pueblo will also return to welcome concertgoers as they arrive.

It began with a family's gratitude
Oro Valley residents Michael and Bonnie Quinn organized the first concert in 2021 to thank the first responders who cared for their son, PJ, during his final year battling cancer. What was originally envisioned as a one-time expression of gratitude has grown into an annual community celebration. As LOVE reported earlier this year, the organization has also expanded its mission beyond the concert itself.

The music lasts an afternoon, the impact lasts all year
Through its Hero Fund, Rockin’ 4 Heroes supports educational opportunities for those who serve. The organization established a $50,000 endowment at the University of Arizona to assist student veterans and Gold Star family members. Its Jacob Dindinger Memorial EMT Scholarship at Pima Community College now supports three aspiring first responders annually. More recently, six police officers from Oro Valley, Marana, and Tucson received $1,000 education grants. These programs demonstrate how a concert that began as a thank you has become an ongoing investment in the people it honors.

More than a concert
More than 30 military, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and veterans' organizations are expected to participate. The afternoon will also include food trucks, family activities, displays, an auction, and a raffle. The free event is supported by sponsors and donors, with proceeds helping fund the organization's year-round activities. It is an opportunity for residents to enjoy an afternoon of music while meeting and thanking those who serve their communities.

Mark your calendar for Sunday
The concert takes place Sunday at James D. Kriegh Park, 23 W. Calle Concordia. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 4 p.m. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Free parking is available at Canyon del Oro High School and the Oro Valley Aquatic Center. Admission is free, although advance registration is encouraged. For complete event information and registration, visit Rockin’ 4 Heroes.

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History Lives This November at Steam Pump Ranch

Digitizing the Historical Society Collection
Thanks to all of you who have visited the Pusch House Museum at historic Steam Pump Ranch so far this fall! We have enjoyed showing you our collection of artifacts, documents, photos, and more, and we aren't done yet. Volunteers are working behind the scenes to digitize our total collection, and we are closing in on finalizing the project. As we have noted, once this project is complete, we will be able to locate everything that we own or that has been donated or loaned to us with the click of a button. Article from the Arizona Journal of History? Check. Picture of George Pusch at the Arizona Constitutional Convention? Check. You ask, and we can find it. This is exciting for us and for those who come to us for historic information.

Museum Exhibits Remain Available on Saturdays
Because of this project, we will not be changing exhibits as frequently as we have in the past, but that will give you time to check out the displays on multiple Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon and know that you don't have to hurry through the exhibit. Everything will still be there when you return, and you can pick up where you left off. As always, our volunteers are on site to help you navigate, answer questions, and provide additional information.

November 14 Walking Tours Explore Ranch History
On Saturday, November 14, you will have the opportunity to take a gentle one-hour walking tour of the Ranch with our naturalist, who will share information about the plants, animals, geology, and geography of our area, along with stories about the people who lived at Steam Pump Ranch from the late 1800s to the early 2000s. Tours depart from the Pusch House Museum at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. They end at the Society-maintained Heritage Garden, where you can see plants that have sustained Tucsonans for thousands of years.

Archaeology Demonstrations and Hohokam History
In addition, we welcome volunteers with Old Pueblo Archaeology who will be in the Garden to demonstrate flintknapping, show us traditional crafts, and answer questions about archaeology and our region's rich cultural history. You can step into a replica Hohokam pit house, learn about the Hohokam people and how they lived, and connect with the history of our region.

Holiday Toy Donations for Foster Children
Also returning to the Ranch this day will be GAP Ministries with their request for unwrapped toys for kids and teens. On their wish list for foster children are dolls, books, Legos, earbuds, craft kits, sports balls, games, radio-controlled cars, makeup sets, mirrors, fidget toys, and trains. Your small donation can ensure a very happy holiday for a child who needs some joy this season.

Museum Closed Thanksgiving Weekend
The Pusch House Museum will be closed on Saturday, November 28. We wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving weekend!

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Path Forward Gets 80% Approval

Meet Oro Valley’s New Mayor and Town Council

A new mayor and three councilmembers take office
Tonight marks a change in Oro Valley's leadership as the Town Council welcomes three newly elected members and a new mayor. Current Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett will become mayor, succeeding Joe Winfield, who chose not to seek reelection. Rosa Dailey, Rhonda Piña, and Matt Wood will take their seats on the Council. All four were elected in July and will serve four-year terms ending in October 2030. They join continuing councilmembers Mary Murphy, Harry “Mo” Greene II, and Elizabeth Robb, whose terms run through October 2028.

Melanie Barrett: From councilmember to mayor
Barrett has served on the Oro Valley Town Council since 2018 and currently serves as vice mayor. An attorney by training, she earned her law degree from Brigham Young University. Before joining the Council, she served on the Town's Planning and Zoning Commission from 2015 to 2018, participating in the development of the 2016 General Plan. An Oro Valley resident since 2009, Barrett brings eight years of Council experience to the mayor's office.

Rosa Dailey: A history of community involvement
Dailey is known locally for her leadership in the effort to preserve the former Vistoso Golf Course property, which became the 202-acre Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. She was also involved in efforts leading to the creation of the Oro Valley Aquatic Center. Her professional background includes insurance adjusting, technical writing, and leadership of a medical research nonprofit organization. During her campaign, Dailey emphasized public safety, fiscal responsibility, water sustainability, and responsible development.

Rhonda Piña: Returning to the Town Council
Piña returns to the Council after previously serving from 2016 to 2020. She brings nearly three decades of banking experience and currently serves as Deputy Director for Workforce Development for Pima County. She also serves on the Tucson Airport Authority Board of Directors. Her campaign priorities included public safety, budget accountability, and strategic economic development.

Matt Wood: From community boards to Town Council
Wood has served on the Rancho Vistoso Homeowners Association Board since 2021 and as its president since 2023. He has also served on the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, including as its chair. Wood holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA. During his campaign, he emphasized fiscal responsibility, protecting neighborhood character, maintaining public infrastructure, and considering the financial impacts of annexation and development.

Mary Murphy: Continuing her community involvement
Murphy joined the Council in 2024. Before her election, she served on the Town's Board of Adjustment, reviewing zoning variance requests. Her professional background includes biomedical research, nursing, and dementia care. She has also been active in community organizations, including Rockin' 4 Heroes and efforts supporting the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park. As a councilmember, Murphy devotes considerable time to community outreach, attending numerous events and activities throughout Oro Valley to meet with residents and stay connected with the community.

Harry “Mo” Greene II: Medicine, education, and the arts
Greene brings a background in medicine, education, publishing, and community arts. A physician, he has held leadership positions at several medical institutions, including the University of Arizona, and served as publisher of the New England Journal of Medicine. He is also an artist and has served as president of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild and chair of the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council.

Elizabeth Robb: Military service, small business, and community rescue
Robb joined the Council in 2024 after a career that included 13 years of military service in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of captain. An Oro Valley resident since 1998, she has volunteered for many years with the Southern Arizona Rescue Association. She also operates Elizabeth's Garden, a small business associated with the Oro Valley Farmers Market. Her community involvement includes schools, scouting, and emergency rescue activities.

A new Council begins its work
The November 4 installation will bring together a mayor with eight years of Council experience, three incoming councilmembers with different backgrounds in community service and public administration, and three continuing members. The seven-member Council will be responsible for setting Town policy, approving budgets, adopting ordinances, and providing direction to Town management. Its members will face ongoing decisions involving finances, development, water resources, public safety, and the future of Oro Valley.

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Council Acts Now to Prevent Unintended Data Center Approvals

Council moves to close zoning loophole before leaving office
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council voted unanimously to ban standalone data centers of any size. Mayor Joe Winfield had brought the issue before Council three weeks earlier, seeking to prevent data centers from being approved under existing zoning regulations without Council review. The outgoing Council moved quickly to close this loophole before the new Council takes office November 4, leaving future consideration of regulations that might allow standalone data centers under specific conditions to its successors.

Sanatorium staff zoning use determination raised similar concerns
The Town is already dealing with the consequences of a zoning interpretation that allows a sanatorium-type facility in the Rancho Vistoso Safeway shopping center area. Town staff determined the use was permitted under existing zoning language, and the Board of Adjustment upheld that interpretation. We believe Council's concern is that broadly written zoning provisions can allow staff to approve uses that neither residents nor Council anticipated for the community.

Council seeks to prevent a similar situation involving data centers
At the October 27 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, town staff explained that standalone data centers of any size were permitted under existing zoning regulations in C-1, C-2 Commercial and Technological Park (T-P) districts. Staff interpreted data centers as falling under the permitted use category of "Technical Services." Under that interpretation, an applicant could propose a standalone data center and receive staff approval if all applicable zoning requirements were met, without Council having an opportunity to approve or reject the use.

Council prohibits standalone data centers
Council voted to change the zoning regulations to prevent that from happening. As a result, such facilities can no longer receive approval under the existing zoning provisions. Any future proposal will require a change in the Town's zoning regulations before a standalone data center could be permitted.

A future Council could change the prohibition
This does not mean Oro Valley will never have a standalone data center.  A future Council could adopt zoning regulations allowing them under specific conditions. As Mayor Winfield noted at the October 28 meeting, such consideration could involve further study of water and electricity demands, noise, environmental impacts, and potential benefits to Oro Valley residents.

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