Flock Cameras in Oro Valley: Safety, Surveillance and Safeguards

Flock sits at the center of a growing privacy-versus-public-safety national debate

There is quite a bit of discussion about traffic surveillance systems going on both nationally and locally. The main character in that discussion is a company called Flock Safety. It is one of several companies that provide automated license plate reader systems that photograph passing vehicles, record plate and vehicle information, and make those records searchable by law enforcement. The debate centers on whether collecting and sharing this information on large numbers of people who are not suspected of a crime intrudes on individual privacy and constitutional rights, or whether the systems are a reasonable and useful law-enforcement tool. Oro Valley is one of Flock’s many customers in Arizona.

One view has been presented to council at almost every meeting for the past two years…Flock is “bad”
For about two years, two speakers affiliated with Deflock Tucson have regularly appeared during the call-to-audience portion of Town Council meetings. Deflock Tucson’s objective is to end the use of Flock and similar automated license plate reader systems, which it considers a form of mass surveillance. At meeting after meeting, the speakers have made essentially the same points: The cameras record the movements of people who are not suspected of crimes, the data can be shared across jurisdictions, the systems can be misused, and existing safeguards and audit procedures are not sufficient to protect privacy. So far, their appeals have not led the Town Council to change course, but they have remained steadfast in their effort to have Oro Valley discontinue the system.

OVPD says Flock has become an important investigative tool
OVPD says its Flock system now includes 20 cameras strategically located throughout Oro Valley. The cameras are owned and maintained by Flock Safety. According to the department, the system is used to develop investigative leads, locate vehicles connected to crimes, identify wanted subjects and assist in active investigations. Lt. Kevin Peterson told LOVE that Flock also provides an officer-safety benefit by helping police locate vehicles associated with potentially dangerous individuals and can save officers and detectives significant time. He emphasized that Flock does not replace traditional investigative work, but gives officers another resource that can make that work more efficient and effective.

OVPD says safeguards are in place to ensure proper use
The department retains Flock data for 30 days, explaining that crimes are not always reported immediately and investigations may begin days after an incident. OVPD says Oro Valley data is shared only with agencies it approves, with standing access limited to local and state agencies in Arizona; requests from outside Arizona are reviewed case by case and must have a verified criminal-justice purpose. The system also includes audit tools designed to flag unusual activity, including repeated searches by an officer, searches outside the agency network and repeated searches of the same plate. OVPD says the system has assisted in cases involving stolen vehicles, arrest warrants, missing persons and other investigations, including a kidnapping solved within hours and the arrest of an out-of-state suspect wanted in connection with a double homicide.

Flock dominates Arizona’s license plate reader market
Flock is by far the largest provider of automated license plate reader systems in Arizona. A volunteer-maintained statewide inventory currently identifies about 1,920 Flock cameras in 43 Arizona communities, representing about 84% of the identifiable plate readers in those cities. The figures are not an official census, but they show the size of Flock’s footprint compared with competitors. Some other Arizona communities use similar technology from other companies. Marana and Phoenix use Motorola’s Vigilant system rather than Flock, while Tucson Police partners with Axon for license plate readers and live-video cameras.

Oro Valley’s top public safety record gives us confidence
Oro Valley also has a long record as one of Arizona’s safest communities. SafeWise ranked it Arizona’s safest city in 2025 and third safest in 2026. We have confidence that OVPD understands which law-enforcement tools are appropriate and how they should be used. Based on what we have learned, Flock appears to be a useful and properly controlled tool that fits squarely within OVPD’s public-safety mission.
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Click here to view the OVPD Flock Safety Portal

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Bits and Pieces

Town has no proof that TAC was to blame for Franke resignation

Last month, we wrote about the Tourism Advisory Commission(TAC) Then, earlier this month we reported that the Town Council had voted to dissolve it. One point we wanted to examine further was the assertion by Town Manager Jeff Wilkins and Mayor Joe Winfield that Crystal Franke, the Town’s former tourism and marketing manager, resigned to take another position because of her experience with the TAC. We had asked Franke directly, and she neither affirmed nor denied that assertion. So we specifically asked the Town for documentation showing that Franke herself had identified TAC as a reason for leaving. The Town could not provide such documentation. All it provided was an email from Wilkins to the Council attributing Franke’s resignation to TAC. We then asked a second time and were told that the town had provided all information it had on the matter. Our conclusion: Saying something is so does not make it so.

Wall Street Journal features Oro Valley as a great place to retire

A recent Wall Street Journal article on retirees moving to lower-tax states featured Oro Valley residents Earl and Pat Vittitoe, who moved here from Illinois. They chose Oro Valley after visiting Earl’s aunt and were attracted by a 55-plus community with pools, golf, Arizona’s climate and the area’s outdoor lifestyle. Earl told the Journal that they have never had second thoughts about the move. The article also profiled retirees who relocated to Lakewood Ranch, Florida; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Henderson, Nevada. Oro Valley was one of the communities highlighted as offering retirees a combination of lifestyle and financial advantages. (Source: Wall Street Journal, September 16, 2026.)

Town releases simplified 2027 town budget guide

The Town of Oro Valley has released its FY 2026/27 Know Your Town’s Budget summary, a resident-friendly guide intended to make the Town’s finances easier to understand. The guide explains how the budget works, how Town funds support services and facilities, and key facts such as Oro Valley not having a municipal property tax. Town Manager Jeff Wilkins said the summary is intended to improve transparency and help residents better understand how public dollars are used. (Source:  Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Amphi implements barrier between CDO and the Aquatic Center parking lots...creates a problem with parking for shared events
The Amphitheater School District has closed the stairway connecting the Canyon del Oro High School east parking lot with the Town’s Aquatic Center parking lot at James D. Kriegh Park. For years, with District permission, the Town has used the school lot for overflow parking during major Aquatic Center events as well as other events. Closing the stairway means visitors who park in the east lot must now walk around the school property and enter the park from Calle Concordia, a considerably longer route that will be especially difficult for people with physical limitations. The stairs have also long provided a direct route to school for students living nearby. As the panel shows, the access has now been blocked by substantial fencing. It is welded to the railing. We do not yet know why the District closed the stairway or whether the decision was coordinated with the Town. LOVE will investigate.

Aquatic Center late afternoon parking problem getting harder to ignore
Parking at the Aquatic Center is becoming increasingly difficult in the late afternoon and evening, particularly when CDO Little League is using much of Kriegh Park. During these times, the Aquatic Center lot can fill completely, forcing Aquatic Center users to compete for limited nearby parking [see panel left]. The recent closure of the stairway from the CDO High School east parking lot has made the problem worse by eliminating an overflow parking access point that had been used for years. The Town needs to address this parking problem so Aquatic Center users have reasonable and reliable access to the facility.

HallOVeen Spooktacular returns October 17
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation will hold its free HallOVeen Spooktacular on Saturday, October 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at James D. Kriegh Park, 23 W. Calle Concordia. The family-friendly event will include a Trunk-or-Treat hosted by local businesses, music, jumping castles, food trucks, kids’ crafts and other activities.

Friday Night Concerts at Steam Pump Ranch return tonight
Oro Valley’s free Friday Night Concert series returns to Steam Pump Ranch beginning tonight. The concert features Rainy Daze. It runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Additional concert dates are October 2, October 23 and November 6, featuring Your Money’s Worth, Good Trouble and Ones All Band. Residents can bring a chair or blanket and their own food, while food trucks will also be available. Admission and parking are free; outside alcohol is not permitted.

Tourism consultant named Oro Valley destination marketing manager
Kevin “Addy” Coleman is Oro Valley’s new Destination Marketing Manager. Coleman brings more than 25 years of tourism marketing consulting experience, much of it with Tucson-based Madden Media, a Tucson-based marketing agency specializing in travel, tourism and destination marketing. There, Coleman worked as a consultant to destinations around the country, specializing in destination strategy, digital marketing and measuring results. The Oro Valley position is a significant change for Madden.  Rather than advising tourism organizations from the outside, Coleman will be responsible for delivering results. (Source: OV Edge September 2026, Linkedin)
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Rockin’ 4 Heroes November Concert: Free For All!

There's no free lunch
As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” But yes, there definitely is a FREE outdoor rock concert, one of Southern Arizona’s largest, right here in Oro Valley, drawing thousands of attendees from across Arizona and beyond for an afternoon of live classic rock, fun, food and heroes.

But there is an upcoming free outdoor concert

Admission to the 6th Annual Rockin’ 4 Heroes Concert, Sunday, November 8, at James D. Kriegh Park, is absolutely 100% free. And it’s all due to the generosity of many local and national businesses and private donors who believe in Rockin’ 4 Heroes’ mission to celebrate and thank the heroes who serve and protect our community and country.

Two new sponsors step up for Rockin’ 4 Heroes
Leading the roster of sponsors making this celebration possible are Presenting Sponsor HSL Properties, renewing its commitment for the 5th year in a row, and T-Mobile, joining the cause for the first time this year as Entertainment Sponsor after sending a team of spirited volunteers to work at last year’s event.

Another new sponsor this year is Tech Systems Inc. (TSI), a national company based in Georgia, which jumped on the bandwagon within a week of hearing what Rockin’ 4 Heroes is all about!

“From day one, we knew Rockin’ 4 Heroes had to be an event for the entire community. We wanted to honor our local heroes in a way that everyone could participate in, which is why keeping admission entirely free is our priority,” said Oro Valley resident Michael Quinn, who, along with his wife, Bonnie, founded the nonprofit. “We are incredibly grateful to our many sponsors who share our vision and make it possible to stage a high-caliber, high-energy musical celebration for all to enjoy.”

An amazing roster of continuing sponsors

• Advanced Sheetmetal
• Anthony and Shannon Gleckler
• Carolina Natural Resource Group LLC
• David Moyer
• Empower Coalition
• Finley Distributing
• HSL Properties
• Hughes Federal Credit Union
• Oro Valley Chamber Foundation
• Oro Valley Hospital
• Pain Institute of Southern Arizona
• Pima County Attractions & Tourism
• The Keg Steakhouse
• The Quinn Family
• The Town of Oro Valley
• TRICO
• Tucson Airport Authority
• Vetrano Financial
• Whelen Engineering

Proceeds support heroes long after the fun and music ends
The concert is free to attend, but our mission relies entirely on your generosity. Beyond the stage, your contributions fund vital year-round initiatives through the Hero Fund, providing critical scholarships, continuing education training, and emergency grants for First Responders, Active Military, Veterans, and Gold Star families.

To join an elite roster of community leaders...

...who are rockin’ for our heroes, or to pre-register for free admission and a chance to win a $500 American Furniture Warehouse gift card, visit www.Rockin4Heroes.org.

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Staff and Council Confusion Over Vistoso Trails Pond Restoration Raises Bigger Questions

Grant request opens a much broader discussion
The September 16 Council meeting included a discussion of a possible grant for recreational improvements at the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve, including the grass area around the pond. What started as a staff consent-agenda request to approve a grant application turned into a much longer discussion. That discussion revealed significant differences in Council’s and staff’s understanding of what is currently being built, what has been authorized but not yet contracted, what has to occur first, and what pursuing the new grant would delay. It also revealed the need for a broader discussion about the status of the Preserve’s overall remediation. That discussion, along with further consideration of the grant, will occur at the Council’s next meeting on October 7.

It has been four years after the Preserve came under Town ownership
It has been about four years since the Preserve came under Town ownership. That ownership followed several years of negotiations with property owner Romspen and the involvement of The Conservation Fund, which ultimately purchased approximately 202 acres of the former golf course for permanent preservation. The acquisition was made possible in part by a $1.8 million community fundraising campaign supported by more than 600 donors, while the Town separately paid $885,000 as part of the broader settlement that cleared the way for the transaction. The Conservation Fund then transferred the protected property to Oro Valley, subject to a conservation easement.

The Town accepted an obligation to maintain and restore the land
Essentially, the terms of the conservation arrangement require the Town to maintain and restore the Preserve in a manner consistent with its conservation purposes. LOVE later described that obligation as including restoration and maintenance of the property while allowing low-impact recreation and supporting amenities such as trails, benches, ramadas, restrooms and parking. Council subsequently interpreted that responsibility as restoring the former golf-course landscape toward natural Sonoran Desert conditions, including revegetation with native plants and continued control of invasive species such as Bermuda grass.

Then pond feature is in progress
The original restoration plan called for converting the pond area to a desert garden rather than restoring the former water feature. Council changed direction in April 2025, voting 4-2 to restore the full 2.5-acre pond using reclaimed water and to make the pond area a focal point of the Preserve. The broader pond-area concept included the pond itself, nearby parking and access improvements, with additional amenities such as trails, irrigation, turf, ramadas, benches, shade trees and other recreational features to be added as funding became available.

Pond construction is moving faster than the lawn
Staff said the current pond construction contract is now expected to be completed by the end of this year. The surrounding lawn is on a different schedule. Staff explained that its irrigation system cannot be installed until the area has been graded, but the current pond contract does not include that grading work. Completing the grading and irrigation will require additional funding and a change to the construction contract. Public Works Director Paul Keesler said, as a preliminary estimate, that sod could potentially be installed as early as April 2027 if funding and the preceding work fall into place.

Council had already directed money toward irrigation and ADA trails
The update surprised some Council members because, on May 6, Council had directed that approximately $150,000 in unspent Preserve funds from the current fiscal year, plus $50,000 from the following year, be used for plant and turf irrigation in the pond area. Council also directed that a $136,210 Arizona State Parks grant be used for ADA trails, with both projects to be completed in conjunction with the pond restoration.

Council wants the full picture before moving ahead
Confusion over the scope and timing of the pond-area work left Council without a shared understanding of what the current contract covered, what additional work would cost, or when irrigation and turf could be installed. Council continued action on the related grant application until October 7 and requested a full update on all Preserve restoration work, including the pond area and the sequence of the remaining work. 

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852 Acre State Lands Annexation Is “On The Table” Yet Again

State Lands annexation back again
The annexation of roughly 852 acres of State Trust Land west of Oro Valley is moving toward yet another Council discussion. This is not the first time the annexation has been before council. LOVE reported last October that the Town had reopened discussions with the Arizona State Land Department over the approximately 550 acres south of Tangerine Road. At that time, consultant Mark Longacre of WLB Group told Council that changes within the State Land Department made it worthwhile for Oro Valley to take another look at annexation. He said the State was moving toward a process in which the local jurisdiction would have greater control over planning and entitlement of State Trust Land. Mayor Winfield questioned whether that change was permanent, since it was administrative rather than established in law. LOVE reported on that discussion here.

Staff focus is on annexing the entire 852 acre parcel 
At last week’s annexation study session, Assistant Town Manager Carl Shaddock provided few details on the opportunity, saying staff was deliberately holding the fuller discussion for the Council’s October 7 meeting. What was new was that staff placed the total State Land area in the highest priority annexation tier. Mayor Winfield suggested separating the property: The approximately 550 acres south of Tangerine would remain a top-tier priority, while the roughly 302 acres north of Tangerine would move to Tier 3. That makes the October 7 discussion important because Council may now begin defining not simply whether to continue pursuing the 550, but how much of the larger 852-acre area Oro Valley actually wants to bring into Town.

 "The properties currently under consideration for annexation

by the Town of Oro Valley are the two State Land‐ owned sites

indicated on the map below, referred to as Tangerine North

(302 acres), and Tangerine South (550 acres)."

The State goal is to maximize the land’s value
The State’s basic objective has not changed. State Trust Land is managed to generate revenue for its beneficiaries, principally Arizona’s public schools. Last year, LOVE reported that the State’s newer approach could give Oro Valley more influence over permitted uses and planning than under the earlier process. But greater Town involvement may conflict with the State’s financial objective. 

When the property was formally discussed by the State in March 2025, the development concept included a master-planned approach, a mix of residential densities and housing types, commercial and other nonresidential uses, flexible allocation of residential and commercial development among parcels, and Planned Area Development zoning. The State also contemplated Oro Valley completing General Plan and zoning approvals before parcels were auctioned, giving future buyers greater certainty.

The development concept is still far from settled
We can trace versions of the proposed land use back eight years. In 2018, the annexation and rezoning concept for State land contemplated as many as 3,200 dwelling units, including single-family homes, apartments and townhomes. Today, OV’s Path Forward identifies the Tangerine 852 area as “Master-Planned Community” and says it is included in the Town’s Annexation Strategy for potential annexation in cooperation with the Arizona State Land Department. It also says that future land-use changes would occur through a cooperative public process. That gives the Town a framework, but it does not tell residents what ultimately would be built there.

Diminishing CAP water is big issue
Last year, LOVE published many unanswered questions that were posed by the council regarding this annexation. Providing water to the annexed land was the big one. At that time, Water Utility Director Peter Abraham told Council that full build-out of the State Trust Land could require roughly 1,000 acre-feet of water a year.  That is 10% of Oro Valley’s current CAP allocation. He said that the property would rely entirely on CAP water, not groundwater, and noted that nearly all of the Town’s existing CAP supply is already committed to current customers. Abraham warned that future CAP reductions would make that level of service unsustainable. The CAP situated has worsened since then. Last week, we reported that there is a 14% CAP water reduction starting in 2027. 

According the Abraham speaking at that time, the issue is not simply whether Oro Valley can physically deliver water. It can. The issue is committing that much CAP water when it is likely to become more scarce and at a time when the state has developed a firm plan for a sustainable alternative water source.

October 7 should move the discussion beyond where it was last year
LOVE has followed this proposal for nearly a decade, and we followed its return to Council in detail last October. The question now is no longer simply whether Oro Valley should take another look at the 550. That already happened. The October 7 discussion should tell residents whether the Town is prepared to move beyond preliminary exploration and, if so, what development, water, infrastructure and financial conditions Council would require before pursuing annexation any further. 

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Publisher Note: Town materials have historically referred to the broader property as the “880-acre” State Land area, although those same materials describe its two components as approximately 550 acres south of Tangerine and 302 acres north of Tangerine.

Bits and Pieces

Almost a year now and Gephart still does no know how huge construction sales tax forecasting error happened
LOVE has written for almost a year that the Town badly overestimated FY2025-26 construction sales tax revenue, budgeting about $5.1 million and ultimately collecting only about $2.7 million. At Wednesday’s Council meeting, we learned that staff made a large error in the opposite direction on building permits: residential building permit revenue reached $1.55 million, while total license and permit revenue exceeded budget by nearly $684,000. 

Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett asked the obvious question: How could the Town significantly overestimate construction tax revenue while simultaneously underestimating the permit revenue associated with development? Finance Director David Gephart responded, “I don’t have a good answer for you at this point,” adding that he would have to “go back and look at how the budget was formulated.” 

When Barrett asked for a report explaining the discrepancy, Gephart agreed. 

The construction sales tax problem had been apparent for months, making it reasonable to expect Gephart to already understand how the original assumptions had gone so wrong. The issue is no longer simply that two forecasts missed badly in opposite directions. It now raises a broader question: Is Gephart providing the level of financial oversight the Council should expect?

Council and residents appeal staff zoning decision; Board of Adjustment hearing October 5

The Oro Valley Town Council and nearby Rancho Vistoso residents have appealed a staff zoning interpretation involving the proposed senior-care development on the vacant commercial parcel north of Safeway Vistoso Plaza. The disputed interpretation, issued by the Planning and Zoning Administrator, determined that a “sanatorium” is a permitted use in the Rancho Vistoso PAD’s C-1 commercial zoning district. Under Town procedures, appeals of zoning interpretations are heard by the Board of Adjustment, which acts as a quasi-judicial body and makes the Town’s final decision on the matter. Oro Valley The appeal is scheduled for a Board of Adjustment hearing on October 5. (learn more here)

Town launches pre-approved home plans to cut time and cost

Oro Valley’s new Community Model Homes program is now live, giving residents access to Town pre-approved designs intended to make building a guest house, casita or home faster and less expensive. The initial library includes accessory dwelling units and single-family homes, with duplex and triplex plans expected beginning in 2027. The plans are created by local design professionals and builders and are available for use by interested residents. The Town says the program is intended to expand housing options while reducing permitting time and costs. Visit the town program home page to learn more.

Oro Valley expects 14% CAP reduction in 2027 — but says local supplies are secure

Oro Valley Water Utility says the federal government’s new Colorado River operating framework is expected to reduce the Town’s Central Arizona Project allocation by about 14% beginning in January 2027. Water Utility Director Peter Abraham says Oro Valley is positioned to absorb that reduction because its CAP allocation exceeds what it normally needs, allowing the Town to store excess water underground, and because it has accumulated long-term storage credits that can be used if future CAP deliveries decline further. The Utility also points to its diversified water portfolio — groundwater, CAP water and reclaimed water — and regional partnerships as additional protection against future shortages. (Town of Oro Valley Water, "Behind the meter," Fall 2026 issue)

Fall pavement preservation work underway across Oro Valley

Oro Valley has started its fall 2026 pavement preservation program, with work scheduled from September through November on streets and in neighborhoods throughout town. The Town says the work is intended to extend the life of existing pavement before more expensive reconstruction is required, with streets selected based on pavement condition and prior treatment history. Among the larger areas on this fall’s list are Naranja Drive from La Cañada to First Avenue, Vistoso Commerce Loop, Vistoso Estates and Tangerine Heights, along with numerous neighborhood streets. Work is generally scheduled between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., and residents in affected neighborhoods will receive notice before construction begins. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

OVHS September Happenings...

Historical Society shares discoveries from its archives
Volunteers with the Oro Valley Historical Society have been working this summer on digitizing all of the Society’s archives, including documents, photographs and physical items. The Society is inviting the community to see some of what volunteers have discovered, including materials that may never have been seen before. Visit the Pusch House Museum at historic Steam Pump Ranch every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon this month. Docents will be on site to answer questions and provide additional information.

Click To Enlarge

On September 23, learn how sunlight carried messages across frontier Arizona
On Wednesday, September 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the Oro Valley Public Library, former CIA analyst and Oro Valley resident Lee Krsiean will present “Heliograph: Frontier Arizona’s Communication by Sunlight.” The presentation will discuss how U.S. Army soldiers used light-reflecting heliographs for communication and security for early settlers. Reflected-light communication could carry information across long distances, including from Flagstaff to Arizona’s southern border.

Attend The Peace Pole dedication September 26
On Saturday, September 26, the Historical Society will hold a special ceremony at Steam Pump Ranch. At 10 a.m., members of the Rotary Club of Oro Valley, Town officials and members of the Oro Valley Historical Society will dedicate a Peace Pole donated by the Rotary Club earlier this year. Peace Poles are an international symbol carrying the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth.” The Oro Valley pole carries that message on four sides in English, Mandarin, Spanish and Tohono O’odham. The community is invited to attend the dedication.

The presentation and visits to the Pusch House Museum are complimentary. Donations to the Oro Valley Historical Society are gratefully accepted. 

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Editor Note: Before radio became common, the U.S. Army used heliographs in the Southwest because bright sunlight and clear air allowed messages to travel many miles between mountaintops and other elevated stations. The Historical Society presentation will focus on how this system was used in frontier Arizona for military communication and security.

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Proposition 431 Is OV’s Path Forward...Ten Things To Know

Prop 431 is on the November Ballot

Proposition 431, OV’s Path Forward, will be on your ballot this November. Here's ten things you should know before voting on OV’s next 10 years!

1. What is OV’s Path Forward?
This is Oro Valley’s General Plan, which was created by residents and must now be approved by residents. If it earns your vote, it will set goals, policies, and actions that guide the Town through 2036.

2. Who created OV’s Path Forward?
Oro Valley residents created this plan. Over the past two years, we have encouraged readers to take surveys, participate in online discussions, and review the plan. This resulted in more than 10,700 comments from residents like you.

3. Why is OV’s Path Forward important?
The plan reflects residents’ goals and priorities for Oro Valley’s quality of life. It includes specific actions related to community safety, parks, views, water resources, economic development, roadways, housing, land use, and more.

4. How does the plan lead to meaningful results in the community?
OV’s Path Forward is an action-oriented plan and a commitment from the Town to uphold residents’ values and priorities. It includes 286 specific actions for the Town to implement over the next 10 years. As stated on OVPathForward.com, “These actions are prioritized through the Town’s Strategic Plan, which allows Oro Valley to focus on the most pressing needs and optimize resources accordingly, while keeping the community’s long-term goals in mind.”

Each year, the Town produces a progress report showing residents how these actions are being fulfilled. The progress report for the current plan stated, “100% of its actions” were addressed.

5. How is OV’s Path Forward different from the Town’s current plan?
This new plan shares many of the same values as the Town’s current plan, like ensuring a safe community, conserving scenic views, and providing high-quality parks and roads. It also offers more specific direction in areas like housing, water resources, and Town finances. A more in-depth article about the differences between the plans is available in our LOVE OV’s Path Forward Primer.

6. What happens if OV’s Path Forward isn’t approved by the voters?
OV’s Path Forward was created by residents and must be approved by residents. If it does not pass in November, the current plan will stay in effect until a new one is approved by the voters.

7. What does the plan say about water use?
The plan emphasizes the community’s priority to “Ensure water availability for current and future residents.” It incorporates long-term strategies to diversify the town’s water sources and prepare for future water challenges.

8. What does the plan say about growth and development?
Based on resident guidance, the plan focuses on targeted growth and redevelopment. It includes goals and policies that prioritize the conservation of views and environmental resources during development. The plan honors residents’ preference for lower building heights and homeownership while encouraging more retail, restaurants, and gathering spaces.

9. Will the plan increase taxes?
No, the plan does not increase taxes. Most actions maintain residents’ core values and do not require additional resources. It states, “Most [actions] will entail efficient and effective use of existing resources. Others require further community engagement and additional resources to achieve meaningful results” (OV Path Forward, Achieving Meaningful Results, p. 9).

10. How do I get more information about OV’s Path Forward? 

The plan is available online at OVPathForward.com and display copies can be read at the Oro Valley Public Library, Community and Recreation Center, and the lobbies of the Town Hall Administration and Community and Economic Development buildings.

Town staff are available to present to groups or meet individually. You can contact them at OVPathForward@orovalleyaz.gov.

These FAQs and the plan are available on OVPathForward.com

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Publisher Note: Do take advantage of LOVE's Prop 431 Primer. Click the second tab above.

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Look What Happened While We Were On Holiday

Bourn To Reshape Innovation Park

Bourn Companies, a Tucson-based developer with major projects throughout Southern Arizona, has purchased approximately 334 acres of remaining undeveloped commercial land in Innovation Park. The park is home to major employers including Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Oro Valley Hospital and other technology and medical businesses. Bourn founder Don Bourn says the company sees an opportunity to create a “world-class mixed-use business park.” Carrying out that vision could eventually require Town Council approval for rezoning or other changes to existing development rules. Still, the purchase offers Oro Valley an opportunity to jump-start land that has remained vacant for years despite repeated Town efforts to attract new employers. There is also a potentially important side benefit: Bourn is the developer of Uptown, the former Foothills Mall property that Oro Valley has identified as a potential annexation target. Bourn’s investment in Innovation Park gives the Town and the developer a new reason to work closely together.

Victory declared: Council dissolves TAC

At its September 2 meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council voted unanimously to dissolve the Tourism Advisory Commission. Mayor Winfield noted that TAC had completed much of the work it was created to help advance, including creating a focused Leisure Travel Management Plan. With that plan now moving into implementation, changes in Town tourism staffing, four of the Commission’s five seats vacant, and four new councilmembers taking office in November, the Council decided this was an appropriate time to bring TAC’s work to a close rather than immediately appoint an almost entirely new commission to multiyear terms.

Under the approved motion, town staff is to provide quarterly progress reports to the council, and bring forward any significant proposed changes in tourism policy or strategy. 

TAC made a difference. In one year, the Commission helped turn a grandiose draft travel and leisure study into a workable, practical and implementable plan. TAC pushed the Town to include its two major resorts as key stakeholders and kept pressure on staff to focus less on completing process steps and more on achieving measurable results.

Shaddock Named Oro Valley Assistant Town Manager

Town Manager Jeff Wilkins promoted Karl Shaddock to Assistant Town Manager. Shaddock joined Oro Valley in 2021 as a management analyst and was promoted to Assistant to the Town Manager in 2023. His work has included strategic planning, capital improvement coordination, organizational initiatives and intergovernmental affairs. As the Town’s registered lobbyist, he helped secure more than $14 million in state and federal funding over three years. In his new position, Shaddock will lead development of the Town’s Strategic Initiatives Division, which will focus on priority projects identified in the General Plan and Strategic Plan.   

Event Marketing Pays: May Circle Pit brought visitors, exposure and dollars to Oro Valley

The May 15th Circle Pit event at the Bicycle Pump Track Naranja Park generated an estimated $75,000 to more than $100,000 in local economic activity, according to the Town’s post-event assessment. The event produced $14,000 in facility rental revenue for Oro Valley, about 180 room nights at El Conquistador and approximately $54,000 in lodging and food-and-beverage revenue at the resort. The Town also estimated that the event reached millions of people through social media, aided by Adidas, Satisfy Running and participating influencers. Organizers and attendees praised Oro Valley’s pump track, skate park, trails and outdoor setting, and several expressed interest in returning for future races, training opportunities and recreation events.   (Source: Town of Oro Valley Post Event Report)

OVCN to build sports ministry in Marana... Oro Valley ministry expansion continues

Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) is moving ahead with a new 28-acre campus at Twin Peaks Road and Desert Falcon Lane in Marana. The project includes a sanctuary, youth center, classrooms, gymnasium, playground, athletic fields and sports courts.  The concept closely resembles the broader expansion OVCN previously proposed for its Oro Valley campus, where plans had included additional facilities for its growing youth and sports ministries. That Oro Valley proposal was later scaled back, while the Marana campus now provides OVCN with a separate location for many of those activities. Earler this month, the Marana Town Council approved the rezoning needed for the project despite concerns raised by nearby residents about traffic, lighting, noise and the intensity of the proposed use.

Beware of PETCO grooming

An Oro Valley family is seeking greater accountability after its service dog, Buttons, was seriously injured during a grooming appointment at Petco. Pet owner Stephanie Torres told KOLD that Buttons apparently fell from a grooming table while still attached to a leash, leaving her hanging by the neck. A veterinary examination found fluid in one lung, a partial tracheal collapse, and injuries to both eyes. Petco paid the approximately $3,000 veterinary bill and said it investigated the incident and took appropriate internal action. Torres said she appreciates that the expenses were covered but wants stronger safeguards and better employee training to prevent a similar incident. Buttons is expected to make a full recovery. (Source)

Check our Oro Valleys Trails Map

Oro Valley residents and visitors can now explore the community’s trail and path network through OVTrailsConnect.com, the online home of the town’s 10-year Trails and Paths Master Plan. The website features interactive and printable maps showing existing and proposed multiuse paths, unpaved trails, trailheads, The Loop and the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve, along with information about implementation priorities, funding opportunities and the community engagement that shaped the plan. The maps will be updated as new routes and trailheads are completed,

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Love Returns September 15

Bits and Pieces

Congratulations to Misti Nowak on 15 years with Oro Valley

A shoutout to Misti Nowak, Oro Valley’s Communications & Marketing Administrator, on 15 years of service to the Town. Nowak has led the Town’s communications and marketing efforts through major community initiatives, public information campaigns and events, including Oro Valley’s 50th anniversary celebration. Her team has also earned national recognition from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association for its work in public-sector communications. Congratulations to Misti on this milestone and on 15 years of helping keep Oro Valley residents informed and engaged. 

Two Town prosecutors reportedly resigning
LOVE has been alerted that Oro Valley’s two Town prosecutors have both decided to resign and are expected to move to positions with Pima County. According to the information provided to LOVE, neither replacement position had been posted as of August 10, raising the possibility of a temporary gap in prosecutors dedicated to Town cases. 

LOVE has not independently confirmed the departures or the Town’s plans for handling prosecutions during any transition.

Best of Both Worlds: Westward Look agreement combines Town incentives with Visit Tucson support
At last Wednesday’s Town Council meeting, the Town Council unanimously approved an incentive-based agreement with Westward Look Resort that provides up to $62,500 for qualifying group and sports bookings that generate room-night activity in Oro Valley. The resort is currently a member of Visit Tucson and pays $3,000 annually. Town Manager Wilkins stated that El Conquistador’s membership was probably under $5,000. The resorts therefore continue to receive Visit Tucson’s regional marketing and sales support at a relatively modest membership cost of less than $8,000 combined. That is far less than the $410,000 a year the Town previously paid Visit Tucson for a broader package of destination-marketing services. The broader package included leisure marketing, meetings and convention sales, sports tourism promotion and regional destination marketing on behalf of Oro Valley as a whole.

Rockin’ 4 Heroes awards education grants to local officers
Rockin’ 4 Heroes has awarded $1,000 education grants to six active-duty officers from the Tucson, Marana and Oro Valley police departments, including Oro Valley Police Sergeant Ryan Goss. The grants, funded through the nonprofit’s Law Enforcement Support Fund, help officers pursue degrees, leadership training, professional accreditation and advanced certifications. Rockin’ 4 Heroes, founded by Michael and Bonnie Quinn, supports first responders, active military, veterans and Gold Star families. Its annual free Rockin’ 4 Heroes Concert is scheduled for November 8 at James D. Kriegh Park in Oro Valley. (Rockin’ 4 Heroes media release)

Arizona Heroes Memorial to mark 25th anniversary of 9/11

The Arizona Heroes Memorial will hold a special ceremony on Friday, September 11, at 6:30 p.m. to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The event will honor those who lost their lives, recognize the heroes who responded and remember the families and communities affected by 9/11. The ceremony will take place at the Arizona Heroes Memorial, 810 W. Naranja Drive in Oro Valley.

Town plans new annual Community Report
Oro Valley plans to begin producing an annual Community Report highlighting major Town accomplishments, services and performance. Town Manager Jeff Wilkins said the report is intended to improve communication and transparency by bringing information now spread among weekly, monthly and quarterly reports into one public-facing document. It will be organized around the Town’s seven strategic-plan focus areas and include major projects, service statistics and other notable accomplishments.

More businesses are opening in Oro Valley
The Town’s August/September Vista newsletter lists several new and coming businesses. New arrivals include Northwestern Neurology at Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, Hair by Kady on Oracle Road, Brenda M. Beck massage therapy on Cool Drive and Surf Thru Express Car Wash on Oracle Road. Coming soon are Barro’s Pizza, Presidio Dental and an Xfinity location.

Free movies continue at the Community Center lawn
Oro Valley’s free Movies on the Lawn series continues at the Community and Recreation Center. Goat is scheduled for August 22, followed by Hoppers on September 12. Movies begin shortly after sundown on the lawn near the golf driving range, and attendees should bring their own chairs or blankets.

Friday night music returns to Steam Pump Ranch in September
Free Friday Night Concerts return to Steam Pump Ranch on September 25 and October 2 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The bands had not yet been announced when the newsletter was published. Food trucks will be onsite, with beer and wine available for purchase.

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Plenty of Blame To Go Around When It Comes To The TAC and Franke Resignations

Plenty of blame to go around
There is plenty of blame to go around for the resignations of the four members of the Tourism Advisory Commission (TAC), for Destination Manager Franke’s departure from the Town, and for the conduct of the TAC meetings. Yes. There were some unruly commission meetings. And Mayor Winfield should not have intervened to admonish the chairman of the commission. And Jeff Wilkins should not have revealed confidential employee exit interview information over and over again, playing a "blame game."

But to say that department head Paul Melcher, to whom Franke directly reported and who ran the Commission meetings, is blameless is gaslighting of the highest order

Melcher, and likely Town Manager Jeff Wilkins, had opportunities to make clear to Franke that the Commission had no authority to direct her, set policy or determine the future of the Town’s destination marketing program. If that was clearly understood, then the Commission’s criticism alone does not fully explain her decision to resign. 

As far as the Commission’s “behavior” is concerned, Melcher was not a bystander. He ran the meetings and had played a major role in selecting the commissioners. Yet when commissioners raised legitimate questions or criticisms, he often appeared unable or unwilling to address them directly. That included basic concerns about why the Town had not involved Oro Valley’s two resorts fully in developing its destination marketing program. Instead of resolving those concerns, Melcher often deflected them, allowing relatively simple disagreements to become more contentious than they needed to be.

All of this leads us to wonder whether Franke saw the same problems. Perhaps she lacked confidence in the department’s leadership or questioned whether it was capable of building an effective destination marketing program. Maybe she simply concluded that it was time to get out. We do not know because Franke never told us. What we do know is that there is enough evidence to conclude that Oro Valley’s destination marketing effort has serious management problems that need attention.

Fortunately, there is something to build on…
The good news is that the Town has one remaining Tourism Advisory Commission member. Her name is Malarie Puggioni. She has destination-marketing experience as a former Marketing Manager for the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau. She brings valuable expertise in destination marketing. it is experience that is particularly important as Oro Valley works to promote its resorts, businesses, outdoor amenities, and distinctive identity.

...And some things that can be fixed
We've identified nine things to ensure the success of a reconstituted Commission: 

1. Make it clear: The Commission is advisory only
The Town should state plainly that the Commission reports to the Town Council as a body, not to an individual Councilmember or the Mayor. Its role is advisory. It should not try to act as Town staff, direct employees, or assume the authority of elected officials.

2. Make it clear: The Commission has a very specific charter
The Commission is an arm of the Council. It is tasked with specific responsibilities in the establishing resolution. Anything else must be assigned by the Council or the Town Manager. The Commission should stick to those responsibilities.

3. Make it clear: There are very specific roles
In that regard, establish:
○ Who develops and approves agendas
○ Who may add agenda items
○ Who sets regular meeting dates
○ Who may call, reschedule, or cancel meetings
○ How the Commission reports its work to the Council

4. Define the chair’s role
The chair should be trained to lead orderly meetings, keep discussion within the Commission’s scope, ensure that all members are heard, and maintain respectful dialogue.

5. Appoint—do not elect—the chair
Rather than having the Commission elect its own chair, the Director and Council Liaison should appoint a chair. This should be someone who understands the Commission’s limited advisory role, parliamentary procedure, and the Town’s expectations for productive meetings. The individual must be willing to take charge when needed.

6. Provide meaningful training for every Commission member. Topics to include:
○ The council-manager form of government
○ The Commission’s advisory role and limits
○ Arizona Open Meeting Law
○ Parliamentary procedure
○ Standards for respectful conduct
○ The proper way to bring concerns or recommendations forward in meetings

7. Train the department director in how to manage a meeting
Paul Melcher had a very difficult time managing these meetings. He often appeared flustered. Perhaps that was because he has less knowledge of destination marketing than the commissioners. He tended to focus on the work staff was doing, while the commissioners focused on results. Still, the meetings could have been better managed.

For starters, Melcher should watch a Water Utility Commission meeting. There, he would see how Director Peter Abraham masterfully educates the Commission and steers discussion back to the topic at hand. Or he could watch a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to observe how Planning and Zoning staff keep commissioners focused and on track. He could also watch the Finance Director David Gephart keep Budget and Finance Commisson attention on agenda items. These meetings work well because staff members have a strong command of their subject matter and know how to guide discussion productively.

8. Have a designated parliamentarian at every meeting
A parliamentarian helps the chair enforce meeting rules, keep discussions orderly, and ensure that meetings remain focused on matters properly before the Commission. The Town had a parliamentarian at only a few meetings. There should be a parliamentarian at every Commission meeting, particularly during the reconstitution period. 

9. Select members who understand the game and will play by the rules
Knowledge of tourism, hospitality, resorts, marketing, or local business is useful, but it should not be the only criteria. Members should also demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively, communicate respectfully, stay within the Commission’s role, and provide constructive advice even when they disagree with a Town decision. And, of course, they should maintain their cool.

The goal is to: Encourage collaborative discussions that are on point; ensure that discussion is informed, respectful, and within the Commission’s scope; and that all is directed through the proper public process.
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Did Blaming TAC for Franke’s Exit Trigger the TAC Commissioner Resignations?

This is the second of a three-part series on the resignation of four of the five Tourism Advisory Commission members. Last week, we shared their thoughts on why they resigned from the Commission. We also asked whether there might be more to the story than meets the eye. Today, we take a look at that story.

May: Town’s Destination Marketing Manager leaves position for many reasons
The Town of Oro Valley hired Crystal Franke as its Destination Marketing Manager in August 2024.  A year and nine months later, in May 2026, Franke resigned.  LOVE reported at that time that she had taken a position with PlacerAI. It is the private-sector company that provides destination marketing event measurement results to municipal clients. Oro Valley is one of those.

Franke told LOVE that there were multiple reasons she left Oro Valley to join PlacerAI:  

“… my decision to leave the Town was multifaceted. Ultimately, I was presented with a professional opportunity that closely aligned with my previous experience in tech and the private sector. I am grateful for my time with the Town of Oro Valley and proud of the work we accomplished to advance the Town’s tourism efforts.” (Franke text message to LOVE on August 11, 2026)

May: Wilkins blames TAC for Franke’s departure
The Town, however, has a different view. Town Manager Jeff Wilkins announced to the Town Council in May that Franke left because TAC member behavior “directly contributed” to her decision to leave.

“I am disappointed to receive the resignation of Crystal Franke our Destination Marketing Manager. Moreover, I am discouraged that the action and comments of our Tourism Advisory Commission (TAC) members directly contributed to her decision. As you may know, TAC members' lack of decorum has made staff uncomfortable during and outside of TAC meetings. In fact, one TAC member apologized to staff for the actions of other TAC members. Further, several TAC members have strongly advocated the Town reallocate tourism funding to facilitate a return to Visit Tucson for group book services creating further uncertainty regarding our DMO's future to build the Town's brand and promote leisure travel’ (Source: Wilkins email to council of May 5, 2026)

Later, in a message regarding cancellation of an upcoming TAC meeting, Wilkins said: 

“It is not surprising this environment made Crystal uncomfortable and uncertain about her future opportunities with the Town, leading her to look at opportunities outside of our organization. I have previously emphasized the importance of decorum from the dais. This is a prime example of cause and effect.” (Source: Wilkins email to Murphy, June 2, 2026)

June: Winfield calls unusual meeting with Commission Chair
Apparently, Mayor Winfield agreed. In early June, Mayor Winfield met virtually with Tony D’Angelo, chair of the Tourism Advisory Commission. Also present were Town Attorney Steve Zraich and Town Manager Wilkins. The stated purpose was to discuss the conduct of the Tourism Advisory Commission.

The meeting was unprecedented in that the Mayor took it upon himself to have this discussion without the knowledge or approval of the Town Council or the involvement of TAC Council liaison, Mary Murphy. In fact, Murphy found out about the meeting after it had taken place. Apparently, the Town Attorney felt it was all right for Winfield to do this on his own, without involving the liaison, and to become involved in a personnel matter.

D’Angelo had agreed to attend the June 9 Zoom meeting. We asked him why. He said he felt compelled to honor what appeared to him to be a mandate by the Mayor: “Mayor Winfield has requested a 30-minute virtual meeting between Steven, Jeff and himself in regards to Tourism Advisory Commission conduct. (Sorois email to D’Angelo, June 4, 2026)

At the meeting, Mayor Winfield reportedly told D’Angelo that, as Chair, it was his responsibility to ensure Commission members treated staff with respect and that he, as Chair, was responsible for controlling the dialogue. Winfield also raised the exit interview of former Destination Marketing Manager Crystal Franke and reportedly suggested that comments by Commission members had placed her job in jeopardy and were a major reason she left her employment with the Town. D'Angelo think that the Mayor told him that he had learned this from Franks' exit interview.

D’Angelo described the meeting in his resignation notice: 

“I was called on the carpet by the Mayor, Town Manager and Town Attorney for creating a tone within the Commission meetings that led to the resignation of the Destination Marketing Manager. It was communicated that our challenges to decision making by staff made the Destination Marketing Manager feel her job was threatened.”

A reasonable question is whether the accusations leveled by the Mayor and the Town Manager ring true.

Unclear what role Commission “behavior” played in Franke’s resignation

Franke will neither confirm nor deny the Town’s assertion. “I would prefer not to engage in the current discussion surrounding TAC.” D’Angelo believes the accusations are false. He reviewed past meeting videos and could not find evidence of disrespect toward Franke, adding that commissioners had instead complimented her work. Former Commissioner Case noted: "The fact that chairman D’Angelo was called in to be reprimanded by our mayor and town manager over this untruth is deeply disturbing to me.” Obviously, Winfield and Wilkins believe otherwise.

August: Four commissioners resign
Did this June meeting with D’Angelo precipitate the four resignations? D’Angelo and Case specifically cited the Town’s blaming of TAC for Franke’s departure as contributing to their decisions to resign. Chris DeSimone did not specifically cite the Franke matter in his own letter. He said he was not going to repeat the reasons given by D’Angelo and Case. Van Buren did not mention it. Regardless, it was not the only reason they resigned. It just added weight to their decision. D’Angelo told us that some were already unhappy with the role of the Commission and their lack of meaningful input. Add to all of this the fact that this is an unpaid volunteer position. Frankly, given all this, why suffer the aggravation?

Tomorrow: “There's More Than Enough Blame To Go Around”

Bits and Pieces

Proposition 431 Is Oro Valley Path Forward

Phase 3 of the Path Forward General Plan adoption process, “Residents Decide,” will begin later this month and continue through the November 3 election, when Oro Valley voters will consider Proposition 431. This phase centers on informing residents about the community-created 10-year general plan and encouraging them to review it before voting. The Town will use social media, newsletters, videos, information booths, Community Academy, neighborhood and HOA presentations, and resident ambassadors to share information and broaden public awareness. 

Visit ovpathforward.com to learn more.

LOVE will participate. Look for articles in September and October and a panel on the right so that you can learn more and stay informed.

Council unanimously approves county funded secure ballot drop box at Library

Wednesday, The Oro Valley Town Council voted 7-0 to approve an agreement with Pima County for a ballot drop box near the Oro Valley Public Library. Before the vote, Council members discussed ballot security, chain of custody, camera coverage, signature verification, traffic flow, accessibility, and the ownership of recorded footage. County officials said the box will be anchored in concrete, protected by anti-pry and fire-resistant features, monitored by a security camera, and serviced by identifiable bipartisan courier teams using documented transport procedures. Pima County will cover the approximately $7,000 cost of the box and related equipment.

Council sets direction for Tangerine, Woodburne and Ranch Vistoso Blvd improvements

The Town Council discussed priorities for improving the intersections of Tangerine, Woodburne and Ranch Vistoso Blvd. The is a proposed Sprouts Center there. The discussion focused on refining the preferred improvements and moving the project forward in a way that balances neighborhood character, mobility needs, and available funding. The estimated cost for the immediate Rancho Vistoso improvements is approximately $1.5 million: About $750,000 for the traffic signal and roughly $750,000 for related realignment and roadway improvements. A separate, future widening of Tangerine Road was estimated at $3–4 million. 

By consensus, Council supported signalization at the 7I East/Safeway ring-road access, with direction to minimize Town financial exposure and maintain transparency.  The improvements remain a preliminary concept and depend on final development approvals for the Sprouts shopping center, an agreement with the developer, completed engineering, and funding arrangements. 

Council approves $62,500 Westward Look Resort performance-based funding agreement

The Town Council approved Resolution R26-40, authorizing an agreement with Westward Look Resort. Council members considered the agreement’s terms and its role in supporting the Town’s relationship with the resort before voting unanimously, 7–0, in favor of the resolution. The cost to the town of this agreement is $62,500. It is part of the town's Destination Marketing effort.

Four TAC Resignations Mark The "End of the Beginning"

The End of the Beginning
At last night's council meeting, Council Member Mary Murphy, the Town’s liaison to the Tourism Advisory Commission (TAC), publicly announced the resignation of four of the Commission’s five members. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. These resignations mark the “End of the Beginning" of TAC.  This is the focus of today’s article. Next Tuesday, in Part 2, we focus on an event that may have precipitated the resignations. We call that “The Middle.” Wednesday, we conclude our coverage in Part 3: “The Beginning of the End.” Together, this will be the most complete coverage published this very significant event.

The four resignations
The Town Council established the five-member Commission on June 4, 2025. It was to be an advisory group to council. According to the enabling resolution, its members were to provide input on strategic marketing, special events, hotel and resort partnerships, and budget priorities; review the Town’s tourism plans and strategies; and undertake specific reviews assigned by the Council or Town Manager. [See the panel below]. 

The four commissioners—Chris DeSimone, Tony D’Angelo, Sasha Case and Mark Van Buren—brought experience and knowledge from different areas related to tourism. They were eager to contribute as Oro Valley expanded its own destination-marketing efforts.

Click To Enlarge... It's worth reading

…of commissioners who expressed deep disappointment
Their resignation letters differed in detail and tone, but several central themes were consistent. DeSimone described a Commission expected to rubber-stamp staff recommendations. This is far different than the scope of the work as defined in the resolution and shown in the panel. D’Angelo wrote that its impact on tourism decisions had been “negligible.” Case said that the Commission’s advice appeared to “fall on deaf ears.” Van Buren called his service on the Commission “one of the most frustrating endeavors” of his career.

Still, despite their frustration, they remained committed throughout nine months and nine meetings to strengthening tourism and helping Oro Valley succeed in its strategic decision to conduct its own destination marketing.

…for many reasons
As individuals, they also raised concerns that reflected their particular experiences and areas of expertise:

• Chairman Tony D’Angelo objected to the Commission’s exclusion from the development of the Town’s tourism app, brand and website, and questioned the accuracy of bed-tax information presented to commissioners.
• Vice Chairman Mark Van Buren criticized the Town’s limited relationships with hotels and resorts, and a tourism plan he considered generic and insufficiently tailored to Oro Valley.
• Chris DeSimone felt that the town overlooked tourism’s importance to local restaurants and Town revenue.
• Sasha Case said she had come to believe the Commission was created primarily to satisfy a requirement in the Town’s tourism plan, rather than to provide advice that staff and Council intended to use.

But there may be more to this than meets the eye
The resignations do not, by themselves, establish the accuracy of every allegation made in the four letters. The resignations do, however, establish that within days, 80 percent of the inaugural Commission expressed essentially the same conclusion... that their advice was neither wanted nor meaningfully used.

Was their resignation simply the result of unmet expectations, restrictions imposed on the Commission’s formal duties or the way Town staff managed the advisory process? 

Or was there a deeper cause? 

That is what we will examine next Tuesday in "The Middle".

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Water Utility Reports Strong Year.... In Every Way

Monday night, Town Water Utility Director Peter Abraham and his staff updated the Water Utility Commission. They provided several interesting and useful pieces of information.

Water Utility had another financially successful year in 2026
The Water Utility ended fiscal year 2025-26 with revenues above budget and expenses below budget. Revenue totaled $22.34 million, approximately $371,000 more than projected. Expenses totaled $20.29 million, approximately $1.47 million below budget. Staff attributed the savings to vacant positions, lower operating and maintenance costs, capital-project timing and careful spending as the Utility works to complete the $52 million Northwest Recharge, Recovery and Delivery System.

Abraham credits the favorable results to good planning, accurate forecasting and a sound rate-setting model.

CAP water continues to reduce Oro Valley’s reliance on groundwater
Abraham presented the water-use report for the first six months of the year. Oro Valley’s main service area produced 4,211 acre-feet of water: 2,110 acre-feet of groundwater, 1,127 acre-feet of CAP water and 974 acre-feet of reclaimed water. Total production was approximately 120 acre-feet lower than during the same period in 2025, even as the number of customer connections continued to grow. In the much smaller Countryside service area, increased CAP deliveries allowed the Utility to reduce groundwater production from 114 acre-feet during the first half of 2025 to just 38 acre-feet this year.

Yes. CAP reservoirs are very low, but the practical effect on Oro Valley is limited for now
Colorado River reservoir levels are near historic lows, but Oro Valley has not yet been told that its CAP allotment will be reduced. Abraham explained that a moderate reduction would most likely mean less water placed into storage for future use—not an immediate reduction in water delivered to customers. For now, the Town plans to request its full annual allotment. “Come October 1st, if no one says anything, I’m ordering 10,305 acre-feet again,” Abraham said.

Next Winter...CAP Water begins its direct flow to Oro Valley... Slow build up

The Town plans to begin introducing CAP water through the Northwest Recharge, Recovery and Delivery System in January. Although NWRRDS will eventually have capacity to deliver as much as 4,000 acre-feet annually, the Utility will not move that amount into the system immediately. Abraham said deliveries may begin at approximately 500 acre-feet during the first year and increase to about 1,000 acre-feet during the second. The gradual approach will give operators time to manage changes in water temperature, flow direction and water chemistry. 

Although NWRRDS water and Tucson-wheeled water both originate as CAP water that has been recharged and recovered from an aquifer, they come through different wells and delivery systems. The new supply may therefore have a different mineral content, hardness and temperature than the water Oro Valley customers currently receive.  Staff will flush lines, monitor water quality and adjust operations as customers and the distribution system become accustomed to the new supply.

Oro Valley’s strong water position does not guarantee protection from future cuts... but it does help
Responding to a commissioner’s question, Abraham said Oro Valley’s strong water position does not necessarily make it a target for the state or other communities seeking a larger share of the available supply. However, he acknowledged that no one yet knows how future reductions will be allocated. Any attempt to penalize Oro Valley for conserving and storing water would likely produce a significant legal and political fight, particularly because other southern Arizona communities have made similar investments.

As we wrote last week, decades of planning and investment have put Oro Valley in a stronger position
As LOVE reported in last week’s articles, Oro Valley’s present water position was not created by a single project or decision. It is the result of decades of planning, investment and regional cooperation. Town leaders and Water Utility professionals secured CAP rights, developed a reclaimed-water system, built delivery infrastructure and stored water for future use. Those decisions have given Oro Valley greater flexibility as conditions on the Colorado River worsen. They do not eliminate the risk, but they place the Town in a far stronger position to manage it.

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