Oro Valley Seeks $38 Million in 2014 County Bond Funds

The process of renewal and investment never ends. The Pima County Bond Advisory Committee is considering an infrastructure bond issue. (Source) Cities, towns and the county have requested 91 projects that total of $654 million in "new" projects, doubling the amount of tentatively approved projects of $650 million.  Total: $1.3 billion.  This would be a huge bond issue, one that you would vote upon in November 2014.

Oro Valley submitted a request that includes 9 projects that total $38 million.  Almost half of this is for a Business Accelerator:

"In cooperation with Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO), the University of Arizona Bio5 In stitute, the Town is proposing the development of a Business Accelerator on Town owned property in Innovation Park. The Accelerator will help small bioscience and high-tech companies, that have made it through the start-up phase, scale-up to compete in the national and international market. This resource will play a crucial role in growing the bioscience sector in Southern Arizona and creating high-paying jobs." (Source: 4-13-13 Letter from Caton to Pima County Bond Advisory Committee).

The requested projects are:

• $15 million for a business accelerator (Priority 1)
•   $3 million for Kreigh Park facility enhancements (Priority 1)
•   $4 million for Steam Pump Ranch master plan implementation (Priority 2)
•   $9 million for Naranja Park basic infrastructure improvements (Priority 3)
•   $6 million for Riverfront Park (Priority 4)
•   $600,000 Oro Valley Trailhead and Linda Vista Trailhead. (Priority 5)
•   $400,000 Honey Bee Village (Priority 6)

The town also supports 3 Pima County sponsored projects that have direct importance to Oro Valley:

• Purchase of land to expand Catalina State Park
• Creation of a multi-use path along the CDO Wash, from the end of the existing trail at LaCanada to LaCholla.  The county paid for the trail from First Avenue To LaCananda.
• Trail connections at to sites.

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Our Analysis

It is unlikely that the county will seek bond funding of such high levels. Pima County is already the most indebted county by far in Arizona.  A "wish list" of 91 new projects simply isn't going to "fly."  The Pima County Bond Committee will simply not approve some projects.

Oro Valley's financial contribution to the county is substantial.  It sl also disproportionate to its population.

 "Town of Oro Valley property owners represent more than 7% of the total Pima County Net Assessed Value (NAV), while making up only 4% of the total population" (Source: Caton letter). 

It is critical that we get our share of whatever funds are decided upon.  Otherwise, even a 100% no vote by Oro Valley residents on the bond won't matter.  So, we compliment Oro Valley Town Manager Caton and the Oro Valley Council for keeping our interests "front and center" in relation to Pima County.
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