As the new year begins, it’s a good time to look back at the stories that shaped Oro Valley in 2025. Throughout the year, LOVE's 186 articles closely followed debates, decisions, and developments that had lasting impacts on residents and the Town’s direction. These five stories stood out for their significance, the level of public engagement they generated, and the way they moved long-running issues toward resolution.- - -
OVCN matter is finally "settled"
After years of controversy over the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene’s proposed expansion, including fights over rezoning for a sports facility, building height variances, and neighborhood concerns about traffic, noise and character, the long-running saga came to a close in 2025 when the Oro Valley Town Council approved a conditional height of 36 feet for the church’s new sanctuary. The issue drew extensive community involvement, with the Planning and Zoning Commission initially denying the church’s height request and residents urging the council to block expansion, while supporters cited community benefits. By granting a modified height approval and setting expectations for ongoing neighbor engagement, the council brought a resolution to a dispute about what will happen at that property, a dispute that had persisted for several years.
One of 2025’s most closely watched local issues was the long, sometimes contentious process to finalize a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Oro Valley and the Oro Valley Police Officers Association. After several months of discussions and multiple competing proposals, in May, prompted by concerns over pay, recruitment, and retention, the Town Council delayed action to obtain detailed cost comparisons and give both sides time to refine their offers. Council and union representatives worked through these differences, and on June 4 the council unanimously approved a new four-year MOU that includes competitive pay increases and cost-of-living adjustments, bringing resolution to a negotiation that drew strong community interest and debate about public safety and fiscal sustainability.
Oro Valley Moves Forward on New Police Headquarters
In 2025 the Town of Oro Valley took major steps toward a new police headquarters, unanimously approving the purchase of a 50,500-square-foot building at 13101 North Oracle Road to replace the outdated La Cañada Drive facility and consolidate scattered offices into a central location. Council members also adjusted the town’s reserve requirement to free $2.42 million toward the project, reflecting a commitment to fiscal planning and public safety. The site, formerly a medical office complex, was acquired for $3.8 million and will be renovated in phases to include expanded training space, offices and support areas for officers and civilian staff. Town leaders said the move will improve department efficiency, enhance community services and accommodate long-term growth.
Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve to Get a Pond
In 2025 the long-awaited plan for the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve took a significant step forward when the Oro Valley Town Council voted 4-2 to restore a 2.5-acre pond on the former golf course site, reversing earlier concepts that had removed a water feature from the master plan and favoring reclaimed water for the project. The decision followed months of debate over costs, design alternatives and how best to balance restoration with water conservation, with council members and residents weighing the community value of a focal water feature against long-term maintenance and environmental concerns. Staff later reported progress on preliminary pond design and related ADA trail improvements, keeping the project moving toward construction in the near future.
Community Center Sales Tax Moved Into General Fund
In 2025 the Oro Valley Town Council voted to redirect the half-cent sales tax that had been dedicated to the Community Center Fund into the town’s general fund while keeping the Community Center Fund as a reporting mechanism supported by budgeted transfers. The change came after discussion about the flexibility needed to address broader town priorities such as roads and public safety, even as parks and recreation programs remain a focus of budget planning. Council members agreed the transparency of showing transfers to the Community Center Fund would be preserved, allowing residents to track how these revenues continue to support community center and recreation services within the broader financial picture.
Other stories that shaped Oro Valley in 2025 include:
- The Town advanced the 2026 General Plan through the OV Path Forward process. Residents will vote on that plan this coming November.
- Town staff updated its five-year financial forecast, identifying a potential funding gap four years from now.
- The Northwest Recharge, Recovery and Delivery System (NWRRDS), a major regional water-supply project with long-term implications for Oro Valley's water supply received major added funding. That project is expected to be completed at the end of this year.
- Governance changes also drew attention, including the decision to hire a town attorney who reports directly to council.
- On the economic and community side, long-delayed activity finally began at the Oro Valley Marketplace, while a Tourism Advisory Commission was created to help shape the town's tourism future.
- Community life was enriched by the return of a very festive Rockin’ 4 Heroes event in November.
All in all... It was a busy year in Oro Valley.
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