The Oro Valley Town Council reviewed a draft Strategic Plan for 2026–27 at its May 21 meeting. The plan, developed over several months with council and community input, focuses on 35 specific projects organized into seven key areas. This discussion of the plan is a follow up of the council's discussion of the plan in September as presented in two LOVE articles (link 1 and link 2). Council members used the session to recommend changes, clarify priorities, and ensure that the plan aligns with resident needs and available resources.
Economic vitality: Focus on retail and local business
The Council devoted considerable discussion to economic vitality, particularly the challenge of retail “leakage”—local dollars spent outside Oro Valley. Members suggested that the plan include projects to strengthen local shopping and attract more businesses. One council member summarized the intent: “I’d like to see a project that responds to that information, because it seems to me that we have an opportunity to try to reclaim some of that leakage and bring that back here to the Town of Oro Valley.” There was also agreement to use language like “enhance” or “advance” the local economic ecosystem rather than simply “create” it.
Culture and recreation: Prioritize residents needs and set realistic goals
Culture and recreation goals were widely supported, but council members debated the best way to ensure that parks and programming serve Oro Valley residents first. They discussed softening language—changing words like “ensure” to “focus on” or “promote”—to reflect budget realities. As one member noted, “We want to make sure that we have the ability and the resources to back up that commitment.” The Council decided to remove a planned project to enhance the Coronado K-8 School baseball facility, citing years of delays and lack of outside cooperation.
Infrastructure and town assets: Prioritize projects and set realistic timelines
Discussion on infrastructure focused on the timeline for major projects, such as evaluating new police facilities and the use of Rooney Ranch property. Council members debated whether projects should have a one-year or two-year completion target, ultimately agreeing that some initiatives, like comprehensive facility planning, require a phased, multi-year approach. The Council moved to shift the Rooney Ranch evaluation to an earlier completion date after discussion.
Effective and efficient government: Collaborate regionally and streamline operations
The plan includes a project to identify opportunities for regional collaboration to reduce costs and improve efficiency, such as exploring shared contracts or coordinated public services with neighboring jurisdictions. Council members broadly supported this approach, with one noting that “regional partnerships can help us deliver better service while keeping expenses in check.” Alongside regional efforts, the Council also emphasized streamlining internal operations, investing in technology, and prioritizing staff training to ensure high service standards. Additional projects focus on improving public engagement, enhancing transparency, and strengthening organizational resilience (making the town better able to handle challenges, disruptions, or unexpected events), all aimed at providing responsive and efficient government for Oro Valley residents.
Financial stability: Rolling updates and fiscal caution
A new “rolling update” approach will allow the Town to revise the strategic plan each year, rather than waiting two years for a full rewrite. This model gives the Council flexibility to respond to new opportunities or financial challenges as they arise. Vice Mayor Barrett voiced a concern shared by many: “I’m a little bit concerned about the financial commitment that some of these things entail… We want to make sure that we have the ability and the resources to back up that commitment.”
Economic vitality: Focus on retail and local business
The Council devoted considerable discussion to economic vitality, particularly the challenge of retail “leakage”—local dollars spent outside Oro Valley. Members suggested that the plan include projects to strengthen local shopping and attract more businesses. One council member summarized the intent: “I’d like to see a project that responds to that information, because it seems to me that we have an opportunity to try to reclaim some of that leakage and bring that back here to the Town of Oro Valley.” There was also agreement to use language like “enhance” or “advance” the local economic ecosystem rather than simply “create” it.
Culture and recreation goals were widely supported, but council members debated the best way to ensure that parks and programming serve Oro Valley residents first. They discussed softening language—changing words like “ensure” to “focus on” or “promote”—to reflect budget realities. As one member noted, “We want to make sure that we have the ability and the resources to back up that commitment.” The Council decided to remove a planned project to enhance the Coronado K-8 School baseball facility, citing years of delays and lack of outside cooperation.
Public safety: Address future needs and improve security
Council members supported projects aimed at long-term police workforce planning and exploring new security measures for events and Town assets. One member requested a clearer approach to determining the number of new officers needed: “Criteria to plan for the need for additional officers, not of additional officers, seems to read better to me.” The Council agreed that workforce planning should be driven by objective criteria and community expectations.Infrastructure and town assets: Prioritize projects and set realistic timelines
Discussion on infrastructure focused on the timeline for major projects, such as evaluating new police facilities and the use of Rooney Ranch property. Council members debated whether projects should have a one-year or two-year completion target, ultimately agreeing that some initiatives, like comprehensive facility planning, require a phased, multi-year approach. The Council moved to shift the Rooney Ranch evaluation to an earlier completion date after discussion.
Land use and design: Maintain strong zoning codes and protect community character
Council members expressed concern about unintended consequences of “modernizing” zoning codes and design standards. One said, “We shouldn’t be loosening our codes because our codes are the only thing that we have left… Once we give it, we can’t take it away.” The group agreed to clarify that updates to zoning codes should reflect “best practices” and not necessarily weaken existing standards.Effective and efficient government: Collaborate regionally and streamline operations
The plan includes a project to identify opportunities for regional collaboration to reduce costs and improve efficiency, such as exploring shared contracts or coordinated public services with neighboring jurisdictions. Council members broadly supported this approach, with one noting that “regional partnerships can help us deliver better service while keeping expenses in check.” Alongside regional efforts, the Council also emphasized streamlining internal operations, investing in technology, and prioritizing staff training to ensure high service standards. Additional projects focus on improving public engagement, enhancing transparency, and strengthening organizational resilience (making the town better able to handle challenges, disruptions, or unexpected events), all aimed at providing responsive and efficient government for Oro Valley residents.
Financial stability: Rolling updates and fiscal caution
A new “rolling update” approach will allow the Town to revise the strategic plan each year, rather than waiting two years for a full rewrite. This model gives the Council flexibility to respond to new opportunities or financial challenges as they arise. Vice Mayor Barrett voiced a concern shared by many: “I’m a little bit concerned about the financial commitment that some of these things entail… We want to make sure that we have the ability and the resources to back up that commitment.”
Areas of contention: Balancing ambition with practicality
While the council showed broad agreement on the overall direction of the Strategic Plan, the council did not "rubber-stamp" the draft plan nor did they agree amoung themsevles on everything. As we've noted, there were several areas of contention emerged during the discussion. Council members debated how assertively the plan should address retail leakage, with differing views on the scope of related projects. There was also extensive discussion about the wording of guiding principles—some members urged caution against language that might overcommit the Town, leading to revisions that made goals more realistic. The feasibility of specific projects, such as improvements to the Coronado K-8 School baseball facility, was questioned, ultimately resulting in its removal from the plan. Debate also arose over whether modernizing zoning codes could inadvertently weaken development standards, with some members warning against loosening rules in light of recent state law changes. Finally, the council discussed the practicality of proposed timelines for major projects, adjusting deadlines to better fit resource realities. These resolution of these discussions reflect the ability of this council to work together.
While the council showed broad agreement on the overall direction of the Strategic Plan, the council did not "rubber-stamp" the draft plan nor did they agree amoung themsevles on everything. As we've noted, there were several areas of contention emerged during the discussion. Council members debated how assertively the plan should address retail leakage, with differing views on the scope of related projects. There was also extensive discussion about the wording of guiding principles—some members urged caution against language that might overcommit the Town, leading to revisions that made goals more realistic. The feasibility of specific projects, such as improvements to the Coronado K-8 School baseball facility, was questioned, ultimately resulting in its removal from the plan. Debate also arose over whether modernizing zoning codes could inadvertently weaken development standards, with some members warning against loosening rules in light of recent state law changes. Finally, the council discussed the practicality of proposed timelines for major projects, adjusting deadlines to better fit resource realities. These resolution of these discussions reflect the ability of this council to work together.
Next steps: Edits and adoption
Staff will incorporate council feedback and bring the revised plan back for adoption. The annual update cycle means the plan can evolve along with Oro Valley’s needs and priorities. Council’s discussion emphasized balancing vision with practical implementation, and keeping resident needs at the center of town planning.
Staff will incorporate council feedback and bring the revised plan back for adoption. The annual update cycle means the plan can evolve along with Oro Valley’s needs and priorities. Council’s discussion emphasized balancing vision with practical implementation, and keeping resident needs at the center of town planning.
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