RTA Next goes to voters in November
In November, Pima County voters will be asked to approve RTANext—a 20-year extension of the half-percent sales tax that funds countywide transportation improvements. The current voter-approved Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan expires in June 2026.
Past RTA investments have supported Oro Valley
The current plan has already delivered significant benefits to Oro Valley. The town has received at least $83.1 million in RTA funding for major road improvements, including the widening of La Cañada Drive and La Cholla Boulevard, and the construction of wildlife crossings on Oracle Road. RTA has also supported local transit needs, contributing $157,662 toward new Sun Shuttle vehicles and helping fund ongoing fixed-route and Dial-a-Ride services. In FY 2024–25 alone, Oro Valley is budgeting $381,448 as its local match to replace 12 Sun Shuttle vehicles, leveraging additional state and federal grants. These investments have improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, and provided essential transportation services to residents.
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- Shannon Road new roadway starting at Tangerine and continuing well beyond town limits to the south ($23.43 million)
- Widening Lambert Lane from La Canada to well beyond town limits to the west ($50.16 million)
- Intersection upgrade at Tangerine and First Ave ($3.13 million)
- Sidewalk on Naranja Drive, from La Canada to First Ave
Director’s removal raises governance concerns
Two weeks ago, however, the board that oversees RTA funding voted to fire Executive Director Farhad Moghimi. Moghimi served as Executive Director of both the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and the RTA for approximately 13 years. Then, in an unusual move, the board asked him to help draft the criteria for hiring his replacement. That decision raises questions. After all, he was removed for reasons that included poor leadership, financial mismanagement, and a lack of transparency. Why should the individual deemed unfit to lead be tasked with defining the qualities of the next leader? Many would say the appropriate course was for Moghimi to say goodbye—and for the board to take full responsibility for charting the agency’s future.
A split vote and Winfield’s opposition
Moghimi was terminated on a 5 to 4 vote. The reasons cited included failure to control project cost overruns, delayed financial reporting, inflation of funding shortfall projections, and a management style that contributed to high staff turnover and allegations of staff being silenced through non-disclosure agreements. Apparently these reasons did not convince Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield, who sits on the board. He was one of the four board members who voted against removing Moghimi. Winfield explained that he opposed the termination due to concerns over legal exposure and noted his respect for Moghimi’s understanding of legal and regulatory requirements.
RTA politics may reshape RTA priorities
We suspect, but cannot confirm, that there may be other reasons Winfield chose not to support the firing. Moghimi’s removal was driven in large part by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and others who have expressed dissatisfaction with how RTA funds have been distributed. According to the Tucson Sentinel, Romero criticized Moghimi at an April board meeting for demonstrating “hatred” toward the City of Tucson and voiced concerns over a $143 million shortfall that threatened to delay or eliminate several of Tucson’s remaining RTA-funded projects. Editorial commentary in the Sentinel further described the move to oust Moghimi as an effort by Romero and her allies to bring in leadership more aligned with Tucson’s priorities. While not stated outright, the implication is clear: Those who voted for Moghimi’s removal may hope a new director will take a different approach to project selection and funding allocations. In that light, a voter rejection of the RTA Next measure in November could jeopardize the very projects that benefit Oro Valley—projects that were carefully negotiated and included in the draft plan.
Failure of the ballot measure would delay or perhaps "kill"some road projects Oro Valley
All of this places Oro Valley in a somewhat unusual position. The town is relying on RTA Next to fund some transportation projects. Fortunately, none of the Oro Valley projects a critical. If the ballot initiative is not approved by voters in November, those projects will go unfunded. Existing RTA funding will expire in June 2026, which would jeopardize funding of public transportation services like the Sun Shuttle. In addition, rejection of the measure could lead to a reshuffling or restructuring of the project list—potentially causing Oro Valley to lose some of the improvements that are currently included in the RTANext plan.So, what happens to RTA funding matters to you.
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How RTA is funded
The RTA is funded through a dedicated half-percent sales tax approved by Pima County voters in 2006. This tax applies to most goods and services that are also subject to the state sales tax, including retail, restaurants, construction, and utilities. Over the past 18 years, the tax has generated more than $1.6 billion in revenue to support roadway, safety, transit, and environmental projects across the region. The current tax will expire in June 2026, unless voters approve its extension through the RTA Next ballot measure.- - -
