Bits and Pieces

Audubon Certification effort gains momentum at Pusch Ridge Golf Course
Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf report steady progress toward Audubon Sanctuary certification, an effort that blends environmental stewardship with community involvement. Volunteers and course staff are working through 18 identified projects, ranging from wildlife and habitat inventories to water conservation planning and public education. New signage, plans for bat and bird houses, a proposed butterfly garden, and outreach to nearby HOAs and the Oro Valley Town Council all point to a long-term commitment to improving environmental practices on the course. With the planning phase complete and six certification categories still ahead, organizers describe growing momentum and continue to welcome volunteers to help move the effort forward. (Source: Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf January newsletter)

Fiber expansion moves into contract phase at Rancho Vistoso

The January Vistoso Community Association newsletter highlights an important next step in bringing fiber-optic service to Rancho Vistoso. After the Town approved Ripple and Wyyerd to install the “last mile” of fiber, the VCA Board is now negotiating contracts with both companies to protect HOA infrastructure in the public rights-of-way, including landscaping, decorative rock, and irrigation systems. The Board is scheduled to vote on the contract language at its January 29 meeting, a decision that will help shape how high-speed internet is rolled out while safeguarding community assets. (Source: Community Association January newsletter)

Town releases friendly snapshot of 2025 Town Financial Results

The Town of Oro Valley has released its Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, offering residents a clear and accessible overview of the Town’s financial position. Unlike the more detailed and technical Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the PAFR summarizes key information such as revenues, expenditures, net assets, debt, financial ratings, and historical trends in a format designed for the general public. The report is intended to help residents better understand how the Town is managing its finances. Download the report here. (Source: Town of Oro Valley media release)

ASDB move to Copper Creek Elementary causes “Heartburn” for ASDB families

Plans to relocate the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) Tucson campus to the soon-to-be-closed Copper Creek Elementary has created frustration and concern among ASDB families and students. After the Amphitheater School District voted to close Copper Creek and ASDB signed a five-year lease to operate there, many ASDB parents said they felt shocked and dismayed by both the closure and relocation announcement and expressed uncertainty about how the transition will affect their children’s education. At Monday's community meeting, ASDB parents voiced disappointment that the session ended early amid heated exchanges, saying they left with more questions than answers about services, transportation and the future of specialized support. The session ended early after parent emotions ran high and the discussion became heated, prompting organizers to close the meeting before all questions from families could be addressed. Some parents said they were skeptical about how ASDB’s collaboration with local districts will work and worried about accessibility challenges for families who rely on consistent, tailored support as their children adjust to the new campus setting.  Families also raised concern that the move would separate deaf and blind students who are currently educated together on the Tucson campus, disrupting long-standing programs and peer support networks. It is alleged that only deaf students will attend Copper Creek and that visually impaired students will go to a cluster site at TUSD. (Source: Various local news reports)

Oro Valley business growth and community planning advance side by side

Recent Town updates point to steady economic activity alongside continued community planning. In December, Oro Valley issued eight new business licenses spanning storefront, office, and home-based enterprises, while several tenant improvement permits signal new activity at key centers such as Oro Valley Marketplace. At the same time, construction continues on the 320-unit Oro Valley Marketplace Apartments, with utilities underway and a pedestrian tunnel nearing completion. These development updates appear alongside reminders in the Town’s Vista newsletter encouraging resident participation in long-range efforts such as the OV Trails Connect Master Plan and the Path Forward process, reflecting a parallel focus on near-term growth and long-term community priorities: (Source: Town of Oro Valley, January 2026 Economic Development Update and January/February 2026 Vista Newsletter)

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Council Reshapes Prime Town Centre Land

Council wants to reset zoning to make land developable
The Oro Valley Town Council is moving forward with a multi-phase rezoning effort for the town-owned portions of the Oro Valley Town Centre PAD, a long-standing land-use opportunity on the east side of Oracle Road and Pusch View Lane. The council's objective is to reset the zoning so the property so that is realistically developable while protecting community priorities such as open space and views, and allowing the Town to potentially sell portions of the land for General Fund purposes.

The existing zone, a never attracted a developer

This effort continues work we reported on in September. The land is currently zoned to allow a 75-foot hotel and other high-intensity commercial uses, a designation approved by Council several years ago after the property was donated to the Town by the Rooney family. As it turned out, there was no market interest in developing the site under that zoning, largely due to site constraints, access challenges, infrastructure costs, and limited economic feasibilit

Council envisions a developable alternative that will protect views and the environment
Staff presented Council with four rezoning options for the property. Council selected and option that they felt best balance sbetween commercial potential, development feasibility, protection of open space and views, and the likelihood that the site could realistically be developed and sold. 

This concept envisions a modest-scale mix of shops and services along Oracle Road, with housing set farther back on the site, away from the highway. Most of the hillsides would remain open space with trails. Buildings would be limited to two and three stories, with heights stepping down toward Oracle Road to reduce visual impact and protect views.

The concept would support a dozen or so local businesses, and hundreds of residential units
Built out under Concept 2, the property would likely accommodate several dozen small to mid-sized businesses along Oracle Road, such as neighborhood restaurants and cafés, specialty grocery or market stores, fitness or wellness studios, personal services like salons or medical offices, and small professional offices serving nearby residents. The residential component would include either about 250–300 apartments or, under an alternative layout, roughly 150–200 townhomes.

While leaving much of the land open
Based on the concept materials, about 64 percent of the total site—roughly 95 acres—would remain undeveloped open space for natural hillsides, trails, and recreation, providing a buffer to nearby neighborhoods and preserving scenic views.

Rezoning would generate one time sale proceeds, construction sales tax revenues and ongoing sales tax revenue
From a revenue standpoint, the rezoning is intended to turn a long-idle Town asset into both near-term cash value and long-term income. Once rezoned, the Town could sell developable portions of the property to private builders, generating a one-time payment likely in the millions of dollars. Over time, development would also generate ongoing revenue through sales taxes from new shops and restaurants, along with permit and construction-related fees during build-out.

One (small) glitch regarding state law requirements regarding the sale of town land
Arizona law places limits on how Town-owned land can be sold based on its dollar value. Higher-value sales can require additional approvals, including public hearings and, at the upper end, voter approval. Because of this, Council emphasized the need to understand the estimated value of the property early and directed staff to prepare preliminary value estimates as Concept 2 is refined.

Future will see neighborhood in public meetings as this moves forward
Those value estimates are to be reviewed by Council before neighborhood meetings scheduled for February and March, where residents will get their first clear look at what the site could become. After public feedback is incorporated, the proposal will move to the Planning and Zoning Commission and then back to Town Council for spring public hearings, with rezoning decisions made before any future steps to value, market, or sell the property.

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Oro Valley Council Divided as Two New Taxes Are Rejected

Council rejects two proposed taxes
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council rejected two proposed new taxes: A commercial rental tax and a telecommunications tax. The measures were voted down by four councilmembers. 

Council members cite lack of demonstrated need and need for more though vetting of spending and spending priorities
The reasoning varied. In general, Councilmembers Barrett, Murphy, Nicolson, and Robb said the Council and Town staff need to demonstrate more clearly that a financial shortfall will occur in 2030 and that new taxes are the only viable solution.  Councilmember Murphy summarized the concerns of those opposed, stating, “To my knowledge, there still hasn’t been an audit regarding operational efficiency since we first started talking about this. … I absolutely believe that our residents and our businesses deserve that before we talk about taxes.”

Business community raised concerns
Opposition was also expressed by the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 500 businesses. Chamber President Kristin Sharp said, “It’s already more expensive to do business here, and enacting these taxes would only widen that gap.” In addition, comments from mayoral candidate Mark Napier, read into the record, reflected concerns that the Town may be facing a structural imbalance between revenues and expenditures and that the issue warrants closer examination before new taxes are adopted. 

And Vice Mayor Barrett "set the record straight"

Vice Mayor Barrett responded to criticism from former Council member Joe Hornat, who alleged that Council spending created the Town’s financial challenges. “I do not think that Oro Valley is at a crisis point in any way, shape, or form,” Barrett said, cautioning against characterizing the situation as urgent.  Barrett accurately reflected the facts. The spending Hornat cited was addressed by reducing costs elsewhere, particularly by what she described as excessive golf-related losses incurred during Hornat’s tenure. She noted that this Council paid down the police pension debt inherited from Hornat's Council.  Barrett reminded the group that the most recent tax increase was a half-cent sales tax increase enacted during Hornat’s time on the Council.

No clear path forward
The discussion highlighted a split within the Council on how to proceed. Mayor Winfield has said he believes Town staff are doing a strong job managing costs and operating efficiently,. It appears that he does not believe that an independent comprehensive review of spending and priorities is necessary. Winfield, along with Councilmember Greene, expressed confidence at the meeting that Town staff can work through the situation and framed support for the proposed taxes as a way to address long-term financial obligations proactively.

Strategic planning session may test those differences
Whether those differing views will be addressed in the Council’s tomorrow's council strategic planning session remains an open question. The Town has not published the agenda. We do not know how the agenda was developed or the extent to which it was shaped by Town management. As a result, it remains unclear whether the session will include a broad examination of spending levels and priorities and a critical review of the Town’s long-range financial forecasts. 

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Bits and Pieces

Council rejects two of three new taxes
Wednesday night, the Oro Valley Town Council took action on three proposed new taxes. Council approved a commercial use tax, but voted not to approve the proposed telecommunications tax or the proposed commercial rental tax. LOVE will provide a more detailed summary of the Council discussion and votes in next Tuesday’s article.

Arizona State School for Deaf and Blind to move to Copper Creek facility
It looks like the Copper Creek Elementary School Building, which Amphi is closing at the end of this school year, won’t be vacant for long.  The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) plans to move its Tucson campus into the Copper Creek facility under a proposed multi-year lease with the Amphitheater School District. ASDB officials have said the move would allow the state agency to rightsize Tucson operations moving to the existing school campus rather than maintaining the larger, older facility on Speedway in Tucson. 

"The goal of this move is: (1) long-term sustainability of the agency and the Tucson campus, so that students continue to receive exceptional education opportunities; and (2) decrease operational/overhead costs, in order to have more resources for students and teachers."

According to ASDB, staff and students will move to the facility this summer.  The fall semester will begin at that location. The site will be repurposed for specialized education.  The move provides certainty to the  town and to the residents of Copper Creek that the facility will continue to a well maintained facility. Read more about their decision to move to Oro Valley here.

Town receives land gift... will likely be added to trails system
Also Wednesday, The Oro Valley Town Council approved a gift agreement to accept two parcels of undeveloped desert land adjacent to Honey Bee Canyon Park. Deputy Town Manager Chris Cornelison explained that the donation consists of roughly 33 acres of natural desert, offered at no cost, with property taxes current. The land is zoned as open space under the Rancho Vistoso PAD and includes existing informal trails. The land will be held by the Town for possible future inclusion in broader parks and trails planning efforts. The next step is for staff to complete standard due diligence, including title review and preparation of the deed, with no obligation for the Town to make improvements or incur expenses related to the property. mmCouncil members expressed support, noting that the donation complements Honey Bee Canyon Park. The Council unanimously approved the resolution, with a 6–0 vote.  

Police gain access to statewide investigative data system
Wednesday, the Town Council unanimously approved an agreement allowing the Oro Valley Police Department to participate in a state-supported law enforcement records management and analytics system. Police staff said the system will give OVPD access to data from other law enforcement agencies that do not share the same records platform, improving investigations and officer safety by providing more complete background and contact information. The system will be funded through a one-year state grant administered by the Arizona Department of Administration. In response to council questions, staff said the system meets all criminal justice data privacy standards and that the Town is not required to continue participation if grant funding ends

Council adopts state-mandated zoning code changes
Also Wednesday, the Town Council approved updates to the zoning codes required by recent State of Arizona law changes. We previously reported on these changes. Planning staff explained that the amendments formalize administrative approval for certain non-discretionary development and design review applications, clarify who may appeal administrative decisions and under what conditions, allow earlier submittal of grading and drainage plans, and correct minor code errors. The discussion also addressed a change requiring conditional use permits for building height increases in private school and parks and open space zoning districts, placing final approval authority with the Council. Council members noted that while many of the updates are state-mandated, staff worked to retain local oversight where possible. Changes had been previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Phased stormwater rate increase approved... will support system maintenance
Later in the meeting, the Council approved a phased increase to the stormwater utility base rate, adopting Resolution R26-02. The increase raises the residential base rate by 67 cents per month, from $4.50 to $5.17, effective July 1, 2026. Two additional increases were also approved, another 67 cents effective July 1, 2027, bringing the rate to $5.84, and a final increase effective July 1, 2028, bringing the base rate to $6.50, a total $2 increase over three years. Commercial properties will see proportional increases based on impervious surface area. Staff said the stormwater base rate has not been adjusted since 2016, a point previously reported in LOVE, and that the phased approach was designed to limit impacts on residents while ensuring the utility can fund operations, meet regulatory requirements, and maintain required reserves. The storm utility fee is part of your monthly water bill.

Ballots for RTA Next all-mail election coming soon
An all-mail election is coming up on March 10 for Pima County voters to decide the future of regional transportation funding through the RTA Next plan. Proposition 418 asks voters to approve a new 20-year regional transportation plan covering roadway, transit, and safety projects across the region. Proposition 419 asks voters to continue the existing half-cent sales tax that funds the Regional Transportation Authority, with no increase in the tax rate. Ballots will be mailed automatically to registered voters beginning February 11 and must be received by 7:00 p.m. on March 10. There will be no in-person voting; participation is by mail only.
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OV’s Path Forward 90% Draft Reflects Resident Input

OV’s Path Forward – Resident recommended (90%) draft
Oro Valley residents’ plan for the next 10 years continues to take shape. More than 10,600 resident comments have been submitted so far to help create the community’s next 10-year action plan. The 90% draft, also referred to as the Resident Recommended Draft, reflects community input gathered over the past two years.

Built by resident participation
Whether residents completed the BIG Community Survey, visited outreach booths, shared comments online, or participated in resident working groups, that input helped shape the draft plan. The document includes more than 278 proposed actions to be implemented over a 10-year period, intended to maintain or advance the community’s shared values and expectations.

What changed in the 90% draft
Feedback from the BIG Community Review largely echoed priorities already reflected in the plan, suggesting the draft is aligned with resident values. While the BIG Community Review draft and the 90% draft are very similar, resident comments led to refinements intended to improve clarity, accuracy, and completeness.

Key updates include:

• Eight new actions addressing emergency services, intergenerational programs, senior task forces, trails, the Overlook Restaurant, water use, and the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve
• Expanded goals, policies, and actions to better reflect resident intent
• Updated implementation timeframes to improve accuracy

What happens next
The Resident Recommended Draft will be shared with surrounding jurisdictions and agencies to support regional coordination and meet legal requirements. A Final Resident Draft will then be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission during two public hearings in April, followed by Town Council consideration in May.

Residents are encouraged to attend and speak at each public hearing. Town Council approval would allow the plan to be placed on the November ballot for voter consideration.

Where to find the draft
The Resident Recommended Draft and information on upcoming meetings are available at OVPathForward.com.

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Copper Creek Elemenatary To Close

Unanimous Amphi School District Board decision

Last night, the governing board of the Amphitheater School District voted unanimously to close several elementary schools. As previously reported, Copper Creek Elementary is among the schools slated for closure.

Meeting turnout was light... public comment strong

The meeting, held at Canyon del Oro High School, drew a light turnout, with much of the available seating in the fine arts building auditorium empty.  Those who spoke in opposition included parents directly affected by the closures and school employees concerned about the potential impact on their jobs. No speakers addressed the issue from a broader Oro Valley community perspective.

Decision downgrades Oro Valley claim that it's a family friendly community

The closure of a neighborhood elementary school undercuts Oro Valley’s long-standing portrayal of itself as a family-friendly community. While the Town promotes its appeal to families with children, this decision removes an elementary school from a well-established residential area. Although enrollment and operational factors drove the district’s action and families have other school options within Oro Valley, the loss of a neighborhood school changes how the Copper Creek area can be described to prospective residents, making it less clearly a place for young families to grow and settle, even if broader real estate impacts are expected to be limited.

Hard to beat "City Hall without overwhelming force

The meeting underscored the absence of broad, organized community opposition. Without coordinated engagement at scale, there was little to counter the district’s momentum toward closure. For example, those opposed to the decision did not engage the Town of Oro Valley in the discussion. As we previously reported, some residents of the district believed they should be given serious consideration rather than simply being reassigned to other schools.

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Does Oro Valley Really Need Three New Taxes?

Why some say approving three new taxes now may be premature
Yesterday we reported that town staff have asked the Oro Valley Town Council to consider approving three new taxes—a commercial rental tax, a telecommunications tax, and a use tax—that together are projected to generate between $930,000 and $1.88 million annually. 

Tonight, the council will consider approving these taxes.  While staff argue the taxes are needed to address long-term financial pressures, some believe approval may be premature based on what has and has not been analyzed to date.

Today, we present the alternative case for caution.

The projected funding gap is based on assumptions that may or may not come to fruition... alternative scenarios not considered
The current discussion was triggered by a long-range financial forecast presented last year that identified a potential structural funding gap beginning in fiscal year 2029–30. That forecast was based on a host of assumptions related to future spending growth, revenue trends, and service levels. Forecasts are widely used as planning tools, but they are not predictions. Some suggest that policy decisions with long-term consequences, such as new recurring taxes, should be informed by a range of alternative projection scenarios that explore different “what if” conditions.

Cost-control efforts are described but not fully documented...perhaps "reengineering" is needed
Town staff state that budget reductions have already occurred and will continue, and that reallocations within existing funds have been used to manage rising costs. However, the materials provided to Council do not document a zero-based budgeting review, a department-by-department operational analysis, or an independent efficiency or performance audit. Without this level of detail, some believe it is difficult to assess whether current services are being delivered as efficiently as possible or whether additional internal adjustments could be considered.

New revenue is proposed before structural changes are evaluated
The proposed taxes would create new, ongoing revenue streams. Once adopted, such taxes are rarely reduced or eliminated. Some argue that before committing to new permanent taxes, the Town could examine whether structural changes—such as staffing models, program scope, technology use, or service prioritization—might slow long-term cost growth or improve efficiency.

Business impacts are not fully explored
Two of the three proposed taxes—the commercial rental tax and the use tax—would primarily affect businesses, while the telecommunications tax would affect both residents and businesses. The staff materials do not include an economic impact analysis, a competitiveness review, or an evaluation of how the proposed taxes might influence business behavior over time. Some note that even relatively modest taxes can affect business location, expansion, and investment decisions, particularly when layered onto existing costs.

Alignment with other towns is context, not analysis
Staff note that neighboring communities already impose commercial rental, telecommunications, and use taxes, and that Oro Valley is an outlier in not doing so. While this comparison provides useful context, some believe alignment alone does not constitute a full justification. Communities differ in service expectations, cost structures, and fiscal strategies, and comparisons do not address whether Oro Valley has fully examined other available options.

Projected revenue generated is de minimus ... could be "covered" without any change in service levels
The amount of revenue projected from the proposed taxes is relatively small when viewed in the context of the Town’s overall budget, roughly $2 million within a $150 million budget. Some suggest this scale raises the question of whether improvements in operational efficiency or adjustments to non-essential spending could address the projected 2030 shortfall before new taxes are adopted.
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Town Staff Advocate For Three New Taxes

Staff provides council with lengthy discussion of why new taxes are needed now
This Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council will consider whether to move forward with three new taxes: a commercial rental tax, a telecommunications tax, and a use tax. According to staff estimates, the three taxes together would generate between $930,000 and $1.88 million per year, with $1.88 million as the upper bound. The commercial rental tax would apply to leased commercial property and primarily affect businesses, as the Town already charges a 2% rental occupancy tax on residential rentals. The telecommunications tax would apply to communication services and would affect residents and businesses alike. The use tax would apply to Oro Valley business purchases made outside Arizona for which a sales tax should have been collected but was not. These are items a business buys for its own use.

Town staff believe new taxes are necessary at this time for seven reasons.

Projected revenue shortfall in fiscal 2030

The immediate trigger for this discussion was a long-range financial forecast presented last year by Finance Director David Gephart, which showed that, based on a host of assumptions, the Town could face a structural funding gap beginning in fiscal year 2029–30. The forecast indicated that existing revenue sources may not be sufficient to sustain current service levels over the long term as growth-related revenues slow and operating costs continue to rise. Staff identified the need to evaluate potential new, ongoing revenue sources well in advance of that timeframe, leading to the current discussion of possible tax options.

Rising operating and infrastructure costs
Town staff point to sharply rising costs as a primary justification for the new taxes. Inflation has increased the cost of providing core services, including police, parks, public works, and planning. Staff report that General Fund program costs have increased substantially since 2015, while pavement preservation and public safety costs have risen particularly quickly in recent years. According to staff, these cost pressures are ongoing and cannot be addressed through one-time solutions.

Slowing or constrained revenue growth
Staff also cite weakening revenue trends. Sales tax revenues, which fund a large share of Town operations, have shown little growth in recent years and have declined slightly. At the same time, Oro Valley is nearing residential build-out, which limits future growth-related revenues. Staff argue that this combination creates a structural imbalance between revenues and expenditures that must be addressed with new recurring revenue sources.

State actions limiting local revenues
Another justification raised by staff involves actions taken by the State Legislature. Changes to state income tax rates have reduced the amount of state-shared revenue flowing to municipalities, including Oro Valley. Staff emphasize that these decisions are outside the Town’s control and have permanently reduced an important General Fund revenue source.

Unfunded obligations and capital pressures

Staff also highlight new and existing obligations that lack dedicated funding. These include increased transfers to the Highway Fund to offset rising road maintenance costs and the recent purchase of a new police headquarters that currently has no funding identified for reconfiguration and build-out. Staff state that without additional revenue, these pressures will continue to strain the General Fund.

Alignment with neighboring communities’ tax structures
Finally, staff argue that Oro Valley is an outlier among nearby communities. Marana, Sahuarita, and Tucson already impose commercial rental taxes, telecommunications taxes, and use taxes. Oro Valley currently does not. Staff contend that adopting these taxes would align the Town’s tax structure with neighboring jurisdictions and capture revenues that other communities already rely on.

Staff believe they are doing all they can to keep spending under control
In their materials to Council, staff state that budget reductions have already occurred, according to staff, and will continue as part of the upcoming budget cycle to address what they describe as structural imbalances. Staff cite reallocations within existing funds, ongoing efforts to manage rising costs through the annual budget process, and steps taken to absorb inflation-driven increases in areas such as pavement preservation and public safety. While acknowledging that costs continue to rise, staff maintain that these measures are necessary but not sufficient on their own, leading them to recommend new revenue sources to sustain current service levels.

Tomorrow: An alternative case for further analysis and consideration

To date, no organization or individual has presented a clear, comprehensive case against the proposed taxes. An alternative perspective can nevertheless be developed from the existing record, and LOVE will present that perspective in tomorrow’s article.

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