It's 'Round & 'Round On Naranja Park Expenditure

At last night's Oro Valley Council study session, it was 'round & round' on how to try to convince the voters on funding the Naranja Park.

Basically, as we understood it, having attended the meeting, there were two ideas, one costly to the tax payers; the other more costly to the tax payers.

One option, being "pushed" by Mayor Loomis & Terry Parish was to go to the voters for a Nov 2008 vote asking for a secondary property tax, via a bond issue in the amount of $150 million.

The idea was, get it all, and build it in increments, starting with phase 1 in the spring of 2009 for a cost of $48 million. The other two phases wouldn't start until approximately Sept 2013 & 2017 at a cost of $69 million & $37 million respectively.

The other Council Members seemed to be concerned on "selling" a "one time" $150 million bond issue, and were leaning toward Option 2----a $40-50 million price, which was thought to be more palatable to the voters.

Either way it is presented, and approved, we can expect an additional tax in the amount of $10-$12 dollars per month----- if you're home is assessed at $300,000.

Oh---by the way, a couple of caveats.

The town attorney pointed out, if the voters decline this additional expenditure, as it is presented, the town can keep putting it on the ballot until it is approved. This is known as "wearing down the opposition."

Secondly, and I noted this in my opportunity to address the council----we must be diligent in reading the fine print in the proposition, if and when it is presented. For example, the ballot may say, you are voting to approve a bond issue to fund the Naranja Park, for 2 baseball fields, 2 soccer fields, jogging trails , and "other amenities required." Don't let the vagueness fool you. It's a way municipalities get things through, and the voter then claims, "I didn't vote for an amphitheater and aquatic center."

In any case, this was only a study session. You will definitely hear more in the coming months.

One last thing. Come March 2008, there is a potential to replace 3 council members; Dankwerth, Parish & Gillaspie. You can expect this expenditure to be passed well before the election.

Oro Valley Council Amends General Plan To Aid Development

At last week's Council meeting, the General Plan was amended to satisfy developers request to make the Innovation Park area more conducive for Hi Tech development.

For more detail, read the Az Star article below.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/203222

AZ Star Reports On Oro Valley Code Allowing Religious Intitutions

The Az Star reports on our previous post noting that the Oro Valley Council voted to allow Religious Institutions within residential communities.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/203008