Town Council voted, 4-2 to increase water rates tonight. We believe there was only one year since 1996 that the OV Water Utility has not raised our rates.
Phil Saletta, Director of the Water Utility, presented a rather uncompelling case for increasing water rates. Only Bill Garner & Salette Latas believed the rate increase was NOT justified.
Also, let's not forget, thanks to Loomis, Carter & Kunisch we still have the additional 2% tax on our water usage (plus gas & electric.)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Council Defines Method For Replacing Paula Abbott On Council
By a unanimous vote at the Council meeting of November 18, the Oro Valley Town Council accepted Paula Abbot's resignation. At the same time, based on a motion by Council Person Gillaspie, the Council agreed to solicit letters of interest or applications from persons interested in serving Paula's remaining term (June, 2010). Letters are due by November 25.
Council will then consider a replacement during executive session.
Oro Valley Facing $2.14 Million Deficit At End Of Fiscal Year
The Explorer reports that we can expect a $2.14 million budget deficit.
Is this a surprise to anyone? Maybe to Mayor Loomis, Vice Mayor Carter & Council Member Kunisch, but they should have known better.
We all knew state revenues were being curtailed dramatically. We all knew our sales tax revenue has diminished. We all knew the bed tax revenue was going to be less than originally projected.
Still that didn't stop these three from voting to "raid" our contingency fund to keep every cop on the payroll.
That didn't stop these three from giving our precious funds to the likes of TREO, GOVAC & Critical Path to the tune of $277K+.
These motions passed, along with others, with the able assistance of Ms. Abbott who recently resigned her position.
If the other three don't resign, they certainly should be voted out of office.(As of now Loomis & Carter plan on running in 2010)
Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/11/18/news/doc4b0330e799d64401926509.txt
Is this a surprise to anyone? Maybe to Mayor Loomis, Vice Mayor Carter & Council Member Kunisch, but they should have known better.
We all knew state revenues were being curtailed dramatically. We all knew our sales tax revenue has diminished. We all knew the bed tax revenue was going to be less than originally projected.
Still that didn't stop these three from voting to "raid" our contingency fund to keep every cop on the payroll.
That didn't stop these three from giving our precious funds to the likes of TREO, GOVAC & Critical Path to the tune of $277K+.
These motions passed, along with others, with the able assistance of Ms. Abbott who recently resigned her position.
If the other three don't resign, they certainly should be voted out of office.(As of now Loomis & Carter plan on running in 2010)
Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/11/18/news/doc4b0330e799d64401926509.txt
Are "Dark Skies" Important? It Depends Who You Ask
An Explorer article addresses the "Dark Sky" Issue---whether businesses keep lights on throughout the night, or not.
Many business owners say it's necessary to help their business, especially in a down economy.
Many homeowners, and the scientific community say "no;" it's a distraction.
Ultimately, the Oro Valley Council will decide what is best, but not until Aug. 2010 at the earliest. In the meantime, a compromise may be in order.
Here's The Explorer article.
Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Department staffers have asked the council to approve a plan to initiate a comprehensive review of the town’s sign code, and offer specific revisions.
If passed, planning and zoning officials would review numerous aspects of the town sign code, such as standards for permanent signs, master sign programs, window signage, temporary signs and lighting standards.
The last issue was the focus of much controversy at an August council meeting, when numerous members of the business community showed up to advocate for more relaxed standards. They wanted the town to allow signs to remain lighted through the night as a way to help the business community.
Some residents, however, protested that excessive illumination would negatively impact their quality of life.
Members of the scientific community who attended that meeting asked the town council to help keep the night skies dark. They said the observatories of Southern Arizona help bring millions into the economy, and they rely upon the darkness.
The planning and zoning department wants to work with a task force comprised of members of the community and business leaders to advise on changes to the comprehensive sign code.
A tentative schedule would include task force meetings through the middle of next year, followed by the planning and zoning commission making a recommendation on the group’s findings.
Following that, the council would receive the recommendation and revised sign code next August.
Many business owners say it's necessary to help their business, especially in a down economy.
Many homeowners, and the scientific community say "no;" it's a distraction.
Ultimately, the Oro Valley Council will decide what is best, but not until Aug. 2010 at the earliest. In the meantime, a compromise may be in order.
Here's The Explorer article.
Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Department staffers have asked the council to approve a plan to initiate a comprehensive review of the town’s sign code, and offer specific revisions.
If passed, planning and zoning officials would review numerous aspects of the town sign code, such as standards for permanent signs, master sign programs, window signage, temporary signs and lighting standards.
The last issue was the focus of much controversy at an August council meeting, when numerous members of the business community showed up to advocate for more relaxed standards. They wanted the town to allow signs to remain lighted through the night as a way to help the business community.
Some residents, however, protested that excessive illumination would negatively impact their quality of life.
Members of the scientific community who attended that meeting asked the town council to help keep the night skies dark. They said the observatories of Southern Arizona help bring millions into the economy, and they rely upon the darkness.
The planning and zoning department wants to work with a task force comprised of members of the community and business leaders to advise on changes to the comprehensive sign code.
A tentative schedule would include task force meetings through the middle of next year, followed by the planning and zoning commission making a recommendation on the group’s findings.
Following that, the council would receive the recommendation and revised sign code next August.
Oro Valley New Water Rates On Nov 18 Council Agenda
Has anyone noticed that our water rates have escalated almost every year for the last twelve years?
Well, it's due to happen again. At tonight's council meeting, a vote will probably be taken to increase rates by approximately 5.6% for most residents.
. PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION NO. (R) 09 - 74 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA TO INCREASE WATER RATES, FEES AND CHARGES FOR THE ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY
Here's the proposed new schedule as noted in The Explorer.
The Oro Valley Water Utility charges customers based on water usage. Customers are billed on a per-1,000 gallon rate. The amount of water used determines what billing tier customers will be in.
Tier 1 — up to 7,000 gallons
$2.18 current $2.20 proposed
Tier 2 — 7,001-16,000 gallons
$2.95 current $2.99 proposed
Tier 3 — 16,001-32,000 gallons
$3.95 current $4.03 proposed
Tier 4 — more than 32,000 gallons
$5.25 current $5.38 proposed
Source: Oro Valley Water Utility
Well, it's due to happen again. At tonight's council meeting, a vote will probably be taken to increase rates by approximately 5.6% for most residents.
. PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION NO. (R) 09 - 74 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA TO INCREASE WATER RATES, FEES AND CHARGES FOR THE ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY
Here's the proposed new schedule as noted in The Explorer.
The Oro Valley Water Utility charges customers based on water usage. Customers are billed on a per-1,000 gallon rate. The amount of water used determines what billing tier customers will be in.
Tier 1 — up to 7,000 gallons
$2.18 current $2.20 proposed
Tier 2 — 7,001-16,000 gallons
$2.95 current $2.99 proposed
Tier 3 — 16,001-32,000 gallons
$3.95 current $4.03 proposed
Tier 4 — more than 32,000 gallons
$5.25 current $5.38 proposed
Source: Oro Valley Water Utility
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