Bits and Pieces

Tonight is National Night Out at the Oro Valley Markeplace

The National Night Out event at the Oro Valley Marketplace is happening tongit from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event is hosted by the Oro Valley Police Department and will be held at the Walmart Supercenter located at 2150 E. Tangerine Rd, Oro Valley, AZ. The event combines National Night Out with the annual Halloween Safe Treats celebration, featuring prizes, candy, and encouraging costumes for all ages. Attendees can enjoy a fun-filled evening with community booths and food options available. Mayor Winfield and Police Chief Riley will be speaking at the event. There are about fifty booths, food trucks and music.  Sounds like a fun evening.

Vistoso celebrates community spirit tomorrow at annual fall event

Rancho Vistoso residents will gather for the annual Fall Event at Sunset Ridge Park tomorrow from 8 to 11 a.m. The celebration features family activities, community booths, and a chance for neighbors to connect as cooler weather returns. The event is one of the most popular traditions in Vistoso, marking the change of season and bringing together families from across the community. (Source: Vistoso Newsletter, October 17, 2025)

Bed Tax Revenues holding steady...fund town operations

At the October 20 Tourism Advisory Commission meeting, the bed tax came up briefly in connection with how tourism benefits the Town’s finances. Commissioner Chris DeSimone noted that tourism growth could generate more bed tax revenue, which would help fund essential community services such as police, parks, and roads. He framed tourism as a way to “bring in outside dollars” without increasing taxes on residents, emphasizing that visitors “come, leave their money, and go home.”

Oro Valley collects a 6% bed tax on hotel room stays, originally established to fund tourism and economic development activities. The tax was intended to support visitor promotion, marketing, and tourism-related events that strengthen the local economy. Over time, however, the use of these funds was broadened. Portions of the revenue were use to fund the Aquatic Center in 2012.  A dedicated Bed Tax Fund ended in FY2018–19, with revenues and related costs consolidated into the General Fund. While the original intent was to dedicate bed tax revenue to promoting Oro Valley as a destination, the practical use of these dollars now supports a wider range of community needs.

Short-term rentals contribute about $500,000 a year to Oro Valley’s bed tax 

About 300 to 320 short-term rentals operate in Oro Valley each month, generating roughly $500,000 annually—about 20% of the Town’s total bed tax revenues. According to Community and Economic Development Director Paul Melcher, these rentals play a supportive role in tourism—especially for visiting sports teams and cyclists who value the flexibility of cooking, bike storage, and extended stays. The Town maintains a public registry of short-term rentals and provides event organizers with lists of available properties to help accommodate visitors. (Source: Tourism Advisory Commission, October 20, 2025)

Oro Valley wins national communications award for humor

The Town of Oro Valley’s Communications and Marketing Division has earned a national Award of Excellence from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) for “Best Use of Humor” among communities under 75,000 in population. The winning entry, titled “Mugs on Fire,” was a lighthearted video promoting the Town’s annual Hot Cocoa 5K. Created in-house by Digital Content Specialist Nick Going, the video playfully spoofed the movie Chariots of Fire and became one of the Town’s most-viewed clips, drawing more than 8,000 views and helping boost race participation to 496 runners. The event raised more than $10,000 for the Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund. This is the second consecutive year Oro Valley has received national recognition for creative government communications. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf launch “Start Strong” season and tournament

The Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf are encouraging golfers to “Start Strong” as the 2025–26 season begins. From October 25 through November 15, each round played at the course earns an entry into a drawing for a golf gift basket from El Conquistador Golf, with a “Hole in One” earning five entries and a place on the pro shop’s Hole in One Club plaque. The group’s goal is 1,800 rounds during the opening 22 days. In addition, the Give Birdies and Eagles a Boost tournament on November 7 still has a few openings. Proceeds will support the course’s Audubon Certification program and other community projects in partnership with the Town of Oro Valley and El Conquistador Golf. Non-golfers are invited to join for lunch at The Hilton El Conquistador’s Last Territory Restaurant to celebrate and support this community effort . (Source: Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf Newsletter, October 19, 2025)