Bits and Pieces

Oro Valley to get $7 million federal grant for La Canada bridge work 

Town Manager Jeff Wilkins announced Wednesday that Congressman Juan Ciscomani was successful in his efforts to get Oro Valley $7milllion for bridge repairs. The appropriation is included in the Congressional funding bill that is awaiting President Trump's signature. This funding has been years in the making.  This is, indeed, good news. 

Street condition survey underway to guide future pavement planning
The Town of Oro Valley has begun a comprehensive inventory of all Town-maintained roads. The town has engaged a specialized contractor to collect detailed imagery of pavement and transportation assets throughout the community. Over the next week or so, residents may notice data-collection vans driving local streets during daylight hours. The information gathered will be used by Town staff to evaluate current road conditions and update the Pavement Preservation Program. Town Manager Jeff Wilkins said the effort supports Oro Valley’s long-standing, proactive approach to pavement management, helping maintain some of the best roads in the region. The project is funded through Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF). These are state-shared revenues distributed to cities and towns to pay for street and roadway construction, maintenance, and transportation-related improvements.  (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

"Crimefighter" focuses on crime prevention, digital safety, and community education

The Oro Valley Police Department’s January/February CrimeFighter newsletter highlights several community safety priorities, including steps residents can take to reduce package theft, guidance for families on safer internet use as artificial intelligence becomes more common online, and upcoming public engagement programs. The newsletter also promotes OVPD’s women-only automotive care classes, answers common traffic and vehicle-related questions from residents, and provides crime statistics for the final quarter of 2025 (panel right), offering a snapshot of calls for service and reported incidents. Several community events and safety programs are also listed, reinforcing OVPD’s focus on crime prevention, education, and outreach. (Source)

Former Oro Valley town manager Greg Caton at center of escalating Scottsdale leadership dispute

Former Oro Valley Town Manager Greg Caton is the City Manager of Scottsdale. He is involved in a dispute with Mayor Lisa Borowsky. The conflict intensified in mid-January after Caton placed the mayor’s chief of staff, R. Lamar Whitmer, on paid suspension pending an internal personnel investigation, prompting Borowsky to accuse Caton of undermining her office and to suggest she may seek his resignation. City officials have declined to release details, citing the ongoing investigation, while Caton’s administration has said the action was required under city policy. Whitmer, a longtime Scottsdale political consultant and adviser with past involvement in high-profile and controversial development proposals, is not a low-profile staff member, giving the suspension broader political significance. Caton served as Oro Valley town manager from 2011 to 2016, later held senior management roles in Grand Junction and Durango, Colorado, and joined Scottsdale as assistant city manager in 2024 before being promoted to city manager the following year. (Source: News Reports)

Cycling partnership between Oro Valley and Marana seen as first of several joint economic efforts

The Town of Oro Valley and the Town of Marana have formalized a long-standing collaboration by approving an intergovernmental agreement that establishes a regional bicycling partnership focused on tourism and economic activity. The agreement builds on years of joint efforts, including events such as the Tucson Bicycle Classic and other regional cycling initiatives, and provides a framework for coordinated planning, marketing, and evaluation of economic impacts. Speaking to the Town Council on Wednesday, Economic Development Director Paul Melcher said he hopes that this bicycling partnership will be just one of multiple economic development activities Oro Valley will pursue with Marana, signaling a broader regional approach to future collaboration. (Source: Town of Oro Valley 2-4-26 Town Council Meeting and Oro Valley Media Release)

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Bits and Pieces

OVCN appeal of new sanctuary building height be heard on February 19

The Oro Valley Town Council will hold a public hearing on February 19 to review an appeal from the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN).  OVCN  is appealing the Planning and Zoning Commission’s January 14 decision to deny its request for a sanctuary building taller than what the town has previously permitted. OVCN must go through this appeal process, facing possible denial again, before considering other options.  Wednesday, the town council met in "closed door" session to obtain legal advice on this matter.

Oppose the OVCN expansion? Here’s how to take action!
Petitions opposing the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) expansion are available for signing at the Oro Valley Library from 10 AM to 1 PM daily (except Sunday) until Friday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day).  Want a petition? Call (520) 275-3726 to request one.

Former Oro Valley Town Manager Caton now Scottsdale's interim city manager

Greg Caton, who previously served as Oro Valley’s town manager from 2012 to 2016 and as interim town manager the year prior, has been appointed as the interim city manager for Scottsdale. Caton, who joined Scottsdale last year, brings years of municipal leadership experience to the role. His tenure in Oro Valley was marked by key developments and policy initiatives, and now he steps into this leadership position as Scottsdale navigates its ongoing projects and community priorities. (Partial Source)

Rockin’ 4 Heroes Supports Firefighters – Please Join Us! 

Rockin’ 4 Heroes is proud to be one of the sponsors for the 2025 Jose Samaniego Memorial Archery Shoot and BBQ Challenge, taking place at Naranja Park on March 1st. We are excited to participate in this annual event as it enters its seventh year! This free event promises a fantastic day for kids and local residents—no matter where you live! The event runs from 10 AM to 4 PM. 

Enjoy live music, games, prizes, food, and beverages! Bring the kids and come out to support this event, hosted by the North Tucson Firefighters Association - Local 3832. Fees are required to participate in the archery shoot and to access the BBQ feast. All proceeds will benefit the North Tucson Firefighters Charities, with a portion of the fees being tax-deductible. 

Rockin’ 4 Heroes hopes to see many of our supporters and followers at our tent—we love connecting with you throughout the year! Let’s show huge support for our first responders!

Municipal Golf In Colorado Presents Same Huge Headache To Caton

Greg Caton was not able to deliver profitable results for Oro Valley's failed golf courses when he was Oro Valley's town manager. He left our community with a "country club" financial albatross. Apparently, Caton faced a similar golf albatross financial disaster in Grand Junction, Co., where he is the town manager.

Caton cut operations to the bone
"After years of deficits requiring city subsidies, Grand Junction's municipal golf courses [there are two] have recently started turning a profit. But it's not from a surge in revenue fueled by a spike in tee times at Tiara Rado and Lincoln Park golf courses. It's due to operational cuts."

According to that town's Daily Sentinal, city leaders got tired of losing money so they cut operating costs. In this case, they cut staffing that they have yet to replace.

Caton has burned through one golf director. He's moved "ownership" of this albatross to another department. And, of course, golf course members are "up in arms" because of reduced staffing and poor field conditions.

Caton rejects third party management
Caton examined turning the operations of the golf courses over to a private company. Troon, a private company, does operate the Town Of Oro Valley golf courses. Caton decided private management was not feasible in his new town because "It would have ensured the courses lost money, to the tune of at least $100,000 a year." A loss of $100,000 per year pales in comparison to the millions in losses in Oro Valley.

Municipal golf is such a headache 
Things aren't likely to get better there. The Grand Junction courses need investment and they need management.

You can read more about the trials and tribulations of municipal golf in Grand Junction.
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Removing The Police Department From Oro Valley Politics (Part 2)

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Yesterday's post gave the history behind why Chief of Police Sharp reports to the seven member town council and not to the town manager.

As we have heard so often from Council Member Mary Snider, we are Oro Valley and we are unique when it comes to our police.

Yes. We are unique when it comes to our police.  In most Arizona communities, the chief reports to the town manager for budget and evaluation purposes.  In some, the town manager can hire and fire the chief.

But, not in Oro Valley.  Instead, there is a situation in which the police have extraordinary influence and power. A situation in which they are able to assert major influence over politicians and elections.  They are able to do this because no one is responsible for monitoring and evaluating their operations or, in the present case, their spending.

Mayor Hiremath's position is that the council should not "get into the weeds", when it comes to the 2013-14 town manager recommended budget.  We ask: Who, exactly, challenges the police budget, Mr. Mayor, if you don't; because it is not Mr. Caton's responsibility to do so?  You must get "into the weeds"on the police budget, Mr. Mayor.  In 2011, you voted for that to be so.
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Today, there is no oversight of the police budget.  It is not Town Manager Caton's job.  He has no authority to do anything that involves the police because the department does not report to him.  It is of no benefit for him to get involved without that authority. In fact, it would be political suicide.

There are only 3 members of council who have challenged the 2013-14 police budget.  That is too few to make an impact because a vote of 4 would be required.

At the May 1 council meeting, Council Member Zinkin offered some challenge to the police budget.   Council Member Garner discussed the need for greater efficiency in police spending.

Council Member Burns recommended that the council consider changing the reporting relationship of the police chief back to the the town manager, so that some significant oversight would occur.  He noted four reasons to return to the town manager police and evaluation model, a model that appears to be relatively common among Arizona communties:

1. The Council does not adequately provide the professional oversight required;
2. This change in the reporting relationship would remove the police department from being the political "football" that it has become;
3. The town is being run by professionals, as Mayor Hiremath has so often noted. These professionals should oversee the police department; and
4. Oversight by the town manager would increase the synergy, for example, resource sharing, among town departments and town resources.

Council Member Zinkin, having surveyed the reporting relationships in a number of cities and towns, agrees with Brendan.  "I intend to make it an agenda item in a future meeting."

Council Member Joe Hornat said that he is open to listening to a discussion of the pros and cons.  Hornat also voiced confidence in the management abilities of current Town Manager Caton.

Former Council Member Barry Gillaspie, the lone vote in 2011 against removing the town manager from police oversight, continues to agree with his stated position: "I still stand by the statement," Barry said during our talk with him last week.  He noted that the current set-up allows the police department to play a game of "divide and conquer" among the 7 "bosses."  Please 4 and you win!  The police department budget deserves scrutiny.  It gets no scrutiny now.
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We don't know if the council will discuss the situation. We don't know when they will discuss it. We don't know if the council will seek to change the situation. We do know, however, that it is a worthwhile conversation because the size of the police budget and its fast growth rate deserve scrutiny on behalf of the people of Oro Valley.
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Removing The Police Department From Oro Valley Politics (Part 1)

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On May 1, Council Member Brendan Burns recommended that the town have the Chief of Police report to the town manager, not to the town council, as is currently the case.

This change would return the reporting structure to what it was before March 9, 2011.  Prior to that time, the Chief was appointed and terminated by the Council; however, the daily oversight and performance evaluations were completed by the Town Manager. (Source)

There is history behind why the current reporting relationship is "as it is today."

Town Manager David Andrew's had tendered a forced resignation September 2009:

On September 28, 2009, Art wrote: "It is a fact, readily admitted by the Oro Valley police, that their union representatives wanted David out. Why, you ask? For no other reason than they think---and, at this point, they damn well may be right---that they run Oro Valley. Remember, David, working for the best interests of the people of Oro Valley believed the police who have by far the biggest budget---about the same as every other department cumulatively, fought "tooth & nail" so as to not allow even one of their own to be cut back, even though other departments had to do so."

The Oro Valley Town Council held a special session on March 9, 2011.   Council Member Snider, with the seconding of Council Member Hornat, motioned to approve ordinance 11-10 of Oro Valley code section 3-2-3.

The case for making the change was presented by Council Member Mary Snider (02:59).  Sndier claimed that there was a conflict between the code and the Chief's contract. Rather than simply amending the Chief's contract to be consistent with the code, she chose to champion removing the town manager from the equation.

"Vice Mayor Snider stated that from a public policy standpoint, there is a conflict between the Code and the Chief's contract.. The Code states that the Town Council appoints the position of the Town Manager, Chief of Police and Town Attorney. She stated that in Section 3-2, the Chief of Police is appointed by and may be terminated by Town Council pursuant to employment agreement. The new language that was added in 2007 stated "daily oversight and performance evaluation shall be completed by the Town Manager." There is a conflict with the current agreement.  From a policy standpoint, the Town Code states that the Chief of Police is hired or fired by the Town Council, but is not responsible for evaluating performance.  Discrepancy is that Council is responsible for hiring but not for performance."

The change in the code resulted in assigning all responsibilities for oversight and evaluation to the 7 member council as a body.  The motion carried 6-1.

Council Member Barry Gillaspie voted "no."

"I intend to vote no on the motion. I believe that it is in the best interest of the Town Of Oro Valley for the Police Chief to report to the manager and I believe that it is workable to amend the contract of the police chief or use it as stated; so that the town council can provide policy direction both through the town manager and to the police chief. I think that [the change] overly politicizes the position. Town Councils come and go but we want stability in our police department."

So, rather than changing the Chief's contract, as Council Member Gillaspie suggested, the council opted to change the code, removing all Town Manager oversight.  Presently, the police submit their budget through the town manager. The town manager has no role in reviewing or critiquing it.

So how's it working out?

The police budget has grown from $12.1 million in FY2011-12 to a "recommended" $13.8 million in FY 2013-14.  This is an increase of 14%.  During this same time period, the rest of the general fund spending has grown 1.4%.
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