Resilience and Forward Looking Governance Define Oro Valley’s “State of the Town”

“As I prepared this year’s remarks, two ideas stood out: Resilience and forward-looking governance. Resilience is the ability to adapt, to absorb shocks, and to keep delivering the quality of life our residents expect. Forward-looking governance means anticipating tomorrow’s needs and making disciplined, strategic decisions today. Together, these principles form the foundation of every success story in Oro Valley.” 
Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield’s seventh State of the Town address

Thus began the remarks of Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield in his seventh State of the Town address, last Thursday, Winfield delivered his remarks at an event sponsored by the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce at the El Conquistador. 

Oro Valley’s multi pronged approach to fiscal resilience
Winfield said Oro Valley’s continued growth and stability reflect a commitment to fiscal resilience. During his seven years as mayor, the town has maintained a balanced budget through conservative budgeting, prudent reserves, and fiscal restraint, saving nearly $4 million over the past two years by delaying non essential projects and adding only one new full time position, a police officer. The town also secured several state and WIFA grants totaling about $3 million for improvements at the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve, Naranja Park Archery Range, and Steam Pump Ranch.

“Strategic investments are another critical way to build financial resilience,” he said, “and it’s through forward looking governance that we’re poised to seize opportunities early.” He explained that the town’s long term strategy combines targeted annexations, business recruitment to reduce retail leakage, pursuit of grants, and strategic bonding when appropriate. When needed, the plan also includes modest new revenue sources such as telecommunications, commercial use, and commercial rental taxes already used in neighboring jurisdictions. Winfield described these actions as part of a balanced, long term plan to protect essential services and sustain Oro Valley’s quality of life.

Focused on forward looking governance
“Forward looking governance means anticipating tomorrow’s needs and making disciplined, strategic decisions today. Together, these principles form the foundation of every success story in Oro Valley. Strategic investments are another critical way to build financial resilience, and it’s through forward looking governance that we’re poised to seize opportunities early.” He provided examples:

• “When this council chose to invest $33 million to fully fund the Public Safety and Personnel Retirement System, it was a bold decision that will save taxpayers an estimated $20 million through 2038.”
• The Northwest Recharge, Recovery, and Delivery System, a $40 million project that will deliver 4,000 acre feet of renewable water annually, enough for about 12,000 homes.
• “We’ve also purchased and are now beginning the phased renovation of a new police station, a practical, cost effective way to meet community needs while living within our means.”

Involving the community
“Forward looking governance also means planning now for the future we want. The most effective way to do that is to engage the public in the processes that will guide and shape our community.” Winfield called for continued public participation in shaping Oro Valley’s future. He praised the community’s involvement in both the Trail Master Plan and the Path Forward 2026 General Plan, noting that to date more than 9,000 community comments have guided the general plan’s development.

Regional transportation planning is essential
Winfield, who serves as chair of the Regional Transportation Authority, said the next RTA plan will guide 20 years of transportation improvements across Pima County. He said this long term planning demonstrates the kind of leadership he calls forward looking governance, anticipating future needs rather than reacting to them. The plan’s focus on safety, mobility, and connectivity also supports the region’s resilience by ensuring communities can adapt and thrive as conditions change. Winfield encouraged residents to stay informed and engaged ahead of the March 2026 vote, noting that regional partnerships like the RTA are key to Oro Valley’s ability to plan responsibly and build a stronger, more connected future.

“Resilience is something we live”
As he closed, Winfield said Oro Valley’s strength lies not in any single leader, but in the collective effort of its residents, businesses, and public servants. Thinking back to the impact of the pandemic, Winfield noted that “resilience isn’t something we just talk about. It’s something we live...Resilience and forward looking governance are not abstract concepts,” he said. “They guide how we plan, spend, protect, and serve. Oro Valley’s strength has never come from any one individual, it’s come from all of us.”

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Council To Consider Folding Community Center Sales Tax Into General Fund In August

Tax no longer need to support municipal golf and the community center
The Oro Valley Town Council will consider folding the one-half percent Community Center sales tax into the town's General Fund when it returns from summer holiday in August. This will make the funds available for any use; not just use for the community fund or other recreational assets. This tax was enacted ten years ago by a 4-3 council vote when the town acquired the 47-hole El Conquistador Golf facility from HSL Properties. The reason for the tax was to provide a stable, dedicated funding source to support the newly acquired community center and golf operations, which were expected to run at a deficit in the early years. The expectation was that the tax would not be needed after that time.  But, as we all know, a tax, once enacted never goes away, 

Mayor’s proposal: Move the tax to the general fund
At last week’s Council meeting, Mayor Winfield proposed folding the tax into the general fund for several reasons:

• The dedicated sales tax has stabilized the finances of the community center and golf operations, which are now performing better and require less support.
• Moving the tax revenue to the general fund allows the Council to allocate funds to the town’s most pressing needs—including public safety, roads, parks, infrastructure, and community services—rather than limiting it to the community center and golf.
• The current arrangement is perceived as benefiting a narrow interest group.  Yet the tax is collected from all residents and visitors. Integrating it into the general fund “reinforces unity and fairness” and reflects a shift to shared community investment.
• This change would increase fiscal flexibility as Oro Valley nears build-out and construction-related revenues decline, positioning the town for long-term financial health.

Council reactions: Range of opinions, but no support for status quo
Council members expressed support for doing something different with the tax revenues. None supported leaving it as a dedicated source for the community center only: 

• Vice Mayor Barrett supported the Mayor’s proposal:  “I am so pleased with how well golf is doing. For the second year in a row we have not relied on any of the tax money, and that’s what it was basically set up to do ten years ago. ” 
• Council Member Murphy floated the idea of dedicating the tax for all parks and recreation programs. 
• Council Member Greene seemed cautious about making a change:  “I think if we go back historically, this money was designated for the community center and for golf and I think that we need to keep that in mind as we begin to spend it on other issues as they come up. So, I’m for really having a full discussion on this and not acting precipitously on it tonight.”
• Council Member Jones-Ivey leaned toward the parks and recreation fund idea but expressed concern about transparency if the money goes to the general fund: “Sometimes when monies go into the general fund, it really in the past has kind of gotten mired so that transparency is lost. … My question would be: How would we then earmark that money going into the general fund so if something is needed in parks and rec, it can come back?”
• Council Member Robb summed up her support for a change stating, “I agree it’s time to share the wealth on this money.” 

August public hearing. ..Active community involvement
The August meeting will be a public hearing on the proposed change. The community center and golf supporters are expected to pack the hearing and advocate for keeping the tax dedicated to their operations. Historically, they have been successful in persuading the Council to continue support. It remains to be seen whether Mayor Winfield will stick to his position or compromise as he has done in the past when face was significant opposition. 

"Putting to bed" a "bone of contention”

Golf and the community center have been a point of contention since former Mayor Hiremath first brought the acquisition to the council in 2014. The hope is that folding the sales tax into the general fund will help reduce this ongoing debate. 

No discussion of permanently sunsetting the tax
One thing the Council will not consider is ending (sunsetting) the community center sales tax. As it stands, this tax means Oro Valley’s sales tax rate is 2.5% is the highest in southern Arizona. This higher rate may contribute to residents and visitors shopping outside of Oro Valley for big-ticket items, as it is less expensive to shop elsewhere.

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Will Oro Valley Get Caught Up In RTA Politics When RTANext Comes To A Vote?

RTA Next goes to voters in November

In November, Pima County voters will be asked to approve RTANext—a 20-year extension of the half-percent sales tax that funds countywide transportation improvements. The current voter-approved Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan expires in June 2026.

Past RTA investments have supported Oro Valley

The current plan has already delivered significant benefits to Oro Valley. The town has received at least $83.1 million in RTA funding for major road improvements, including the widening of La Cañada Drive and La Cholla Boulevard, and the construction of wildlife crossings on Oracle Road. RTA has also supported local transit needs, contributing $157,662 toward new Sun Shuttle vehicles and helping fund ongoing fixed-route and Dial-a-Ride services. In FY 2024–25 alone, Oro Valley is budgeting $381,448 as its local match to replace 12 Sun Shuttle vehicles, leveraging additional state and federal grants. These investments have improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, and provided essential transportation services to residents.

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RTANext would fund additional Oro Valley related projects and its Dial-a-Ride service

The RTA Next plan also outlines several new infrastructure and transportation improvements that involve Oro Valley. 

• Shannon Road new roadway starting at Tangerine and continuing well beyond town limits to the south ($23.43 million)
• Widening Lambert Lane from La Canada to well beyond town limits to the west ($50.16 million)
• Intersection upgrade at Tangerine and First Ave ($3.13 million)
• Sidewalk on Naranja Drive, from La Canada to First Ave

RTANext also includes support for Oro Valley’s transit system. The draft plan and accompanying materials confirm that the Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride service—covering communities like Oro Valley—will continue to receive RTA funding through the proposed new 20‑year extension.

 

Director’s removal raises governance concerns

Two weeks ago, however, the board that oversees RTA funding voted to fire Executive Director Farhad Moghimi. Moghimi served as Executive Director of both the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and the RTA for approximately 13 years. Then, in an unusual move, the board asked him to help draft the criteria for hiring his replacement. That decision raises questions. After all, he was removed for reasons that included poor leadership, financial mismanagement, and a lack of transparency. Why should the individual deemed unfit to lead be tasked with defining the qualities of the next leader? Many would say the appropriate course was for Moghimi to say goodbye—and for the board to take full responsibility for charting the agency’s future.

A split vote and Winfield’s opposition

Moghimi was terminated on a 5 to 4 vote. The reasons cited included failure to control project cost overruns, delayed financial reporting, inflation of funding shortfall projections, and a management style that contributed to high staff turnover and allegations of staff being silenced through non-disclosure agreements. Apparently these reasons did not convince Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield, who sits on the board. He was one of the four board members who voted against removing Moghimi. Winfield explained that he opposed the termination due to concerns over legal exposure and noted his respect for Moghimi’s understanding of legal and regulatory requirements.

RTA politics may reshape RTA priorities

We suspect, but cannot confirm, that there may be other reasons Winfield chose not to support the firing. Moghimi’s removal was driven in large part by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and others who have expressed dissatisfaction with how RTA funds have been distributed. According to the Tucson Sentinel, Romero criticized Moghimi at an April board meeting for demonstrating “hatred” toward the City of Tucson and voiced concerns over a $143 million shortfall that threatened to delay or eliminate several of Tucson’s remaining RTA-funded projects. Editorial commentary in the Sentinel further described the move to oust Moghimi as an effort by Romero and her allies to bring in leadership more aligned with Tucson’s priorities. While not stated outright, the implication is clear: Those who voted for Moghimi’s removal may hope a new director will take a different approach to project selection and funding allocations. In that light, a voter rejection of the RTA Next measure in November could jeopardize the very projects that benefit Oro Valley—projects that were carefully negotiated and included in the draft plan.

Failure of the ballot measure would delay or perhaps "kill"some road projects Oro Valley

All of this places Oro Valley in a somewhat unusual position. The town is relying on RTA Next to fund some transportation projects. Fortunately, none of the Oro Valley projects a critical.  If the ballot initiative is not approved by voters in November, those projects will go unfunded. Existing RTA funding will expire in June 2026, which would jeopardize funding of public transportation services like the Sun Shuttle. In addition, rejection of the measure could lead to a reshuffling or restructuring of the project list—potentially causing Oro Valley to lose some of the improvements that are currently included in the RTANext plan.

So, what happens to RTA funding matters to you.  
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How RTA is funded

The RTA is funded through a dedicated half-percent sales tax approved by Pima County voters in 2006. This tax applies to most goods and services that are also subject to the state sales tax, including retail, restaurants, construction, and utilities. Over the past 18 years, the tax has generated more than $1.6 billion in revenue to support roadway, safety, transit, and environmental projects across the region. The current tax will expire in June 2026, unless voters approve its extension through the RTA Next ballot measure.

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Five Oddities

Five oddities
Yesterday we reported our fact-based analysis of the decision by the Town Council to overrule the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the height permitted for the new Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) sanctuary. As we reported, the Council approved a 36-foot height. But what we didn’t report were the oddities we observed during that meeting. There were many—but here are our top five:

Council ignores four years of input from residents
The residents most directly impacted by the decision have been attending Council meetings and speaking during the “Call to Audience” portion for the past four years. They have consistently voiced concerns about the church's expansion. None of this was acknowledged by the Council during last week’s discussion. Instead, Mayor Winfield referred to an impromptu “survey” based on emails he received just days before the meeting, regarding the church’s request for a continuance. He reported that 10 of the 13 emails he received supported granting the continuance. He gave full weight to these last-minute emails rather than four years of sustained public comment. The rest of the Council went along with it.

What happened during the five-minute timeout, and why did Barrett change her mind?
After spending considerable time making an impassioned plea for a 29-foot height limit, Vice Mayor Barrett asked for a five-minute recess to reconsider. Her words were: “Can I ask for us to take a five-minute break? I just—I really want to think for a minute.” Some have speculated that she may have been influenced during that break by one or more Council members, but there is no evidence of that, and such speculation is not helpful without proof. Still, taking a break to reflect isn’t wrong—but it does invite speculation when a clear change in position follows so closely afterward.

The "Clifton Matter:" Why was it brought up at the same time?
It seemed odd that the Clifton matter was discussed during the executive session just before the public discussion of the OVCN height appeal. The Clifton case involves a court ruling against the Town, where the court found that a town body—specifically the Board of Adjustment—erred in a height-related decision. The Town not only lost the case but was ordered to pay Clifton's legal fees and costs of about $19,000. Immediately after the executive session, the Council voted to appeal the Planning and Zoning Commission OVCN height ruling. It’s hard to ignore the timing: A height-related legal loss followed by a sensitive height decision in public session. It makes one wonder whether town attorneys were subtly signaling the Council to avoid a possible courtroom setback. If so, the Council followed that signal precisely.

Robb voted "Yes”
Councilmember Robb lives directly across from the church property and is personally affected by the decision. Rather than standing with the Concordia-Buena Vista group, which opposed the height increase, she voted in favor of it. Her decision was in sharp contrast to Councilmember Greene, an OVCN member, who celebrated openly after the vote. Perhaps Robb believed the outcome was inevitable and decided to go along with it. But as the saying goes: "Never go along just to get along."

OVCN snatches victory from the jaws of defeat
OVCN came to the meeting hoping for a continuance, fearing the Council might reject their height request. Instead, by the end of the night, they got everything they wanted—approval for the full 36 feet. The residents, meanwhile, got nothing. In fact, their concerns weren’t even a factor in the Council’s discussion. Not once did anyone on the dais speak to the repeated objections and long-standing input from affected neighbors.

Yes, it was a strange night, indeed.
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2024 State of the Town: Winfield Celebrates Oro Valley

Mayor Winfield’s celebrates Oro Valley

This past Thursday, Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield delivered the annual State of the Town address at the El Conquistador Resort. Sponsored by the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, the event welcomed roughly 600 attendees and marked the town’s 50th anniversary, reflecting on recent accomplishments and plans for future growth. In his address, Mayor Winfield covered seven key areas impacting Oro Valley’s development and community life.

Safety initiatives focus on police accreditation and courthouse improvements
In public safety, Mayor Winfield highlighted the accomplishments and future goals of the Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD). Led by Chief Kara Riley, the department is completing its third accreditation through the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, a credential only two departments in Arizona will hold, further solidifying OVPD’s reputation for safety and excellence. Mayor Winfield also announced the improvements to the town’s court, including upgrades to the lobby, jury rooms, and facilities for safely transporting high-risk individuals. Winfield noted: “Maintaining a high level of public safety contributes to Oro Valley’s attractiveness as a safe community for families and businesses."

Water projects emphasize conservation and reduced groundwater pumping
Mayor Winfield also provided updates on water and sustainability initiatives, key to Oro Valley’s long-term resilience. As he noted, the town’s population in the water service area has grown by 14 percent over the past two decades, yet total water consumption has decreased by 12 percent, a sign of effective conservation measures. Furthermore, Oro Valley’s water utility has reduced groundwater pumping by 60 percent. To sustain these efforts, the town has dedicated $52 million for water utility projects, including $23 million toward the Northwest Recharge Recovery and Delivery System. This system, slated for completion in 2026, is expected to reduce groundwater reliance further, safeguarding the aquifer for future generations. According to Winfield: '“Water remains a key priority for growth and sustainability. Thanks to our community’s conservation ethic, advances in home construction, and strategic investments in water infrastructure, Oro Valley is well positioned for the future."

Economic growth continues through development permits and marketplace plans
On the topic of community development and economic activity, Mayor Winfield shared that Oro Valley issued over 2,200 permits in the past year, representing $133 million in private construction. Residential development continues, with 95 single-family permits expected this fiscal year, alongside two new apartment projects. Commercial growth is set to expand with the addition of a hotel and two senior living communities. Significant redevelopment is also underway at the Oro Valley Marketplace, where plans include four-story hotels, new dining options, and enhanced recreational amenities. He also noted that: '“Annexation remains an important tool for the Town’s future expansion, and we will continue to vigorously pursue all annexation opportunities that can be justified economically, environmentally, and socially for the benefit of Town residents.”

Additional topics covered included tourism, general plan, parks, and partnerships
In addition to these primary areas, Mayor Winfield touched on several other initiatives and accomplishments. Oro Valley was designated an official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) to enhance tourism; the General Plan update, "OV’s Path Forward," is moving forward with community involvement; the Parks and Recreation Department has completed major upgrades, and partnerships with local, state, and federal entities are helping secure funds for infrastructure improvements. He also noted the November ribbon cutting for the Arizona Heroes Memorial, which is located in Naranja Park.  And, of course, he noted the completion of Naranja Park itself and the creation of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve.

Missing: No discussion of the towns' financial financial strength

Absent from this year’s speech was any discussion of the town’s financial health. By all accounts, the town is currently in a strong financial position. This has been achieved without any property tax, making the town unique not only in Arizona but across the country. It is certainly something that should be acknowledged. No organization can be successful if it is not first financially sound. Up to this point, Oro Valley has been just that.

Winfield: "Building a community that we are proud to call home"

Mayor Winfield concluded his address with a reflection on Oro Valley’s progress and a vision for the future, stating that “Oro Valley’s journey has always been shaped by its people, a community bound by a shared vision for excellence. Together, we’ve honored the past, thrived in the present, and laid a strong foundation for an even brighter future. With every project, partnership, and accomplishment, we carry forward the legacy of those who came before us. Here’s to the next 50 years as we continue building a community that we are all proud to call home.” 

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Watch event video

Read transcript

Oro Valley Budget and Finance Commission Is Anything But That and Winfield Thinks That's OK

Commission's  did not participate in the 2025 budget process

Last week, we reported that the Budget and Finance Commission did not participate in the 2025 budget process. This is concerning given their stated mission, which is clearly outlined on the Oro Valley government website:

“The Budget and Finance Commission is responsible for providing assessment and recommendations regarding the town manager’s recommended budget and 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan, the annual Five-Year Financial Forecast, the annual financial audit, and assisting in the selection of the Town’s independent audit firm.”

Met for nine hours...

The commission spent approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes on these key items, out of roughly 9 hours of total meeting time across ten separate meetings in fiscal 2024. Let's examine their activities in fiscal 2024 against their mission:

• In late June, they received a 30-minute update on the budget from David Gephart, but this was after the budget was completed and awaiting council approval.
• In April, they received a 30-minute update on the Town's five-year financial forecast, during which they asked only five questions and offered minimal input.
• In January, they spent 15 minutes discussing the Town’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which is a public statement rather than the auditor’s certified report.
• They spent about 20 minutes discussing the result of the “special procedures audit” of golf operations without being involved in scoping the work.

. ..  and didn't accomplish much

So, what were the primary activities overseen by Gephart, with Mayor Winfield’s oversight, during the year? The commission:

• Reviewed budget policy changes.
• Listened to seven updates on the town's financial results.
• Took three meetings to elect a chair of the commission.
• Devoted time to:
  • A 15-minute review of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
  • A 20-minute discussion of the special procedures golf audit.
  • A "Path Forward" update.

Winfield thinks that's OK

One would think that the lack of substantial engagement in the budget process together with a whopping total of nine meeting hours for a year would raise some concern about whether the town should even have this commission.

Mayor Winfield has no such concern. 

Sets a low bar for performance

In fact, he has set the bar for performance of this commission so low that just showing up is good enough. “The Town’s Boards and Commissions serve in an independent advisory capacity to the Town Council free of political interference. Each councilmember is assigned to serve as a liaison to one or more board or commission. The primary responsibility of councilmember liaisons is to attend board and commission meetings and recommend to Council new board or commission appointments as vacancies arise. I value the input our boards and commissions provide to Council.”

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Winfield Sets Path For Vistoso Trails: Focus on Restoration and Start Now

Winfield: Focus Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve on restoration to desert now…
At the April 17 council meeting, Mayor Winfield drove a “stake in the ground” when he introduced a motion on what to do regarding creating the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. His motion essentially put aside the master plan created by Sites Southwest. This is the firm former town manager Mary Jacobs and former town Parks and Recreation Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan hired. Together, they crafted an elaborate, expensive dream vision of a destination theme park.

With a desire to turn the course back into its natural state

Winfield, having heard enough, ended it all with his motion which we present in its entirety in the panel at left. Winfield’s rationale:

“Let me begin by just simply explaining that I certainly understand that there are a variety of opinions about this project.

Click to Enlarge

And I think it is important that we move forward. We've certainly heard from constituents to keep this simple. I believe that the pond, like the tees, greens, fairways, is a feature of the golf course and is not representative of the natural Sonoran Desert that we all love and that surrounds us.

The cost to restore the pond, I believe, would undermine efforts to revegetate and to begin the restoration of the 202 acres. And that's going to take time. It's not going to happen overnight.

But I believe that this is the best course of action. I believe that the overall intent is to restore the land back to what it was before the golf course was built. And I believe that for the preserve to be resilient, to be sustainable, that as much as we can mirror the Sonoran Desert that surrounds us, the greater success we'll have.

And so that's my reasoning, rationale, for making this motion.”

2025 budget support is an imperative

Council Member Bohen noted that budget support this year is imperative: “I think it's excellent motion from the Mayor. The council needs to follow up at budget time. Grant funding for this is going to be difficult but it's going to be necessary….What needs to be in the fiscal year 24-25 budget in order for us to mobilize the funds to pursue meaningful grants?” Vice Mayor Barrett agreed that funding the work for the 2025 budget is critical.

No water feature

There was some council sentiment to make some sort of water feature using the empty pond. That pond is a remnant of the old golf course. It was used to support the irrigation system. Vice Mayor Barrett noted: “Although I share many of your feelings…the desert garden is probably the more realistic option for this site, and more consistent with the nature preserve.”

Residents win! Two years of uncertainty over!
The motion passed unanimously, ending two plus years of discussion of what to do with the land. In the end, the residents of that area get what they originally wanted: A nature preserve that will keep the land forever vacant. Yes. There will be a apartment units as “collateral damage” on a small parcel of land. This was part of a three-way settlement agreement between the Town, The Conservation Fund (TCF) and local developer Ross Rulney with Romspen Vistoso LLC. This parcel had been zoned for high density residential housing since the inception of the Rancho Vistoso PAD in 1987.  Otherwise, the residents have won.

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Reflecting on 25 Years: Oro Valley's Mayoral Roundtable

25 years of leadership on display
The Oro Valley Historical Society (OVHS) hosted a roundtable last week with three mayors: Paul Loomis, Satish Hiremath, and Joe Winfield. Collectively, their time in office spans the last 25 years of the town’s 50-year history. The roundtable was the third of four special events hosted by OVHS in celebration of Oro Valley’s 50th anniversary. Oro Valley historian Jim Williams moderated the event. Loomis served in office from 1998-2010; Hiremath from 2010-2018; and Winfield from 2018 to the present.

Accomplishments of which they are most proud
Asked about the things they are most proud of accomplishing during their term, Loomis spoke of infrastructure development, including roadways, bridges, and water systems, as well as fostering regional cooperation with neighboring towns. He also highlighted commercial developments and stabilizing town policies, notably transitioning the employee retirement system.

Hiremath highlighted his administration's focus on creating a holistic community environment conducive to living, working, and playing. Key achievements included attracting the state's first veterinary school, facilitating innovation park development, annexations, cultural investments like Tohono Chul, economic growth through private investments, and initiatives supporting veterans, education, and safety. He also mentioned community programs like the Dark House Program and various recreational and educational developments.

Winfield emphasized accomplishments achieved through collective efforts, including hiring key personnel like Chief Riley and Judge Hazel, addressing the police pension shortfall, investing in parks, creating the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve, and facilitating mixed-use development.

Things they would have done differently
Loomis discussed two unfinished annexations, particularly one involving Arroyo Grande, land north of Oro Valley up to the Pima County line, which was put on hold due to changes in state administration. He also stressed the need for better public education regarding town regulations and processes, suggesting that increased awareness could lead to less controversy surrounding council decisions.

Hiremath admitted to shortcomings in messaging during his term, particularly regarding misconceptions about projects such as the community center. He acknowledged a failure to effectively defend these initiatives against public scrutiny, highlighting the importance of transparent communication to counteract misinformation and foster understanding among residents.

Winfield focussed on things he wished the town hand done differently. He felt that decisions early in the town's history, which placed responsibility for parks on homeowner associations, may not have been in the best interest of residents. That decision resulted in smaller parks and poor trail connectivity.

Citizen involvement matters
The three mayors characterized citizen involvement as helping to foster a vibrant and inclusive community.

Loomis noted that new ideas and alternatives are often presented by residents. He noted a common challenge: Public engagement tends to occur late in the decision-making process, making it difficult to incorporate changes. He lamented that negativity tends to overshadow positive accomplishments, urging for a more balanced perspective.

Hiremath emphasizes the importance of considering all residents' viewpoints, even if they are single-issue focused. He underscored the necessity for council members to prioritize the broader community's interests over individual preferences.

Winfield encourages continued engagement, particularly in the formulation of the general plan, which serves as a blueprint for the town's future. He urged residents to voice their opinions and contribute to shaping Oro Valley's trajectory through platforms like ovpathforward.com.

Three Mayors…. Three different impacts
The roundtable showcased 25 years of collective leadership in Oro Valley. Each put their mark on the community. Oro Valley expanded its infrastructure under Paul Loomis, bolstered its economic base under Satish Hiremath, and, under Winfield’s current leadership, has further developed its parks and recreational system.

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Winfield’s State of The Town Address Evokes The Hope and Promise of Oro Valley

Winfield unveils the “four pillars of local government”,

Mayor Joe Winfield delivered the 21st Town of Oro Valley State of the Town Address last Tuesday at a luncheon at the El Conqistador Resort. Winfield expressed the hope and promise of what Oro Valley is and what it can be.

Four Pillars of Local Government Guide Winfield’s Thinking

Resident’s want both “responsible growth preserving what makes Oro Valley special… the desert and mountain views, open space, quality of the built environment, feeling safe.” To achieve this, Winfield has identified four pillars of local government (see panel).  “These pillars are foundational to my decisions and the values that help me stay focussed.”

Winfield’s Assessment

In his address, Winfield measured where Oro Valley stands in relation to each pillar:

Economic Vitality and Fiscal Responsibility

Winfield noted that financial health is critical to a community’s success because it provides the ability to provide the services the community needs. “The town’s financial strength is stronger than ever….results exceeded expectation…We ended the year with $26 million in General Fund Reserves, which is double the required.” Economic growth and community growth is inevitable, he noted. Responsible growth is a strategy based on community values. It is a strategy based on our core functions-the four pillars of government.”

Public Safety Ecosystem

Oro Valley’s public safety ecosystem (police, fire, and other first responders) is “…nimble and responsive-all moving parts functioning together-the result is a community where residents feel safe, and justice is served.” He noted that Oro Valley was named the safest place in Arizona in 2022.

Public Works

Public works is the third pillar. According to Winfield, public works had a busy year: “80 projects and more than 12,000 service tasks and plans including the management of the Steam Pump Ranch historic renovation construction and the $25 million parks bonds projects…The Oro Valley Water Utility delivered 3.13 billion gallons of water…half of the deliveries were supplies other than groundwater… Oro Valley is maximizing its use of reclaimed water and CAP water to ensure a balanced water portfolio.”

Parks and Recreation

Winfield emphasized that the town’s issuance of $25 million parks and recreation bond allowed the town to accelerate building Naranja Park. “This strategy allows us to  build the amenities now so that residents can enjoy them long before they would have been constructed without bonding.” The town did so without adding a tax, by pledging half of the existing half percent [community center] sales tax to pay for bond service costs.  The town’s proudest accomplishment, according to Winfield, was the conversion of the former Vistoso Golf Course into a permanent nature preserve (Video)

A message of hope

You will want to watch Winfield’s remarks. They will be posted on the town’s web site. We will update this post with the link to that when that posting occurs.

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Bits and Pieces

Oro Valley’s 21st annual State of the Town Address next week 

" ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Oct. 19, 2022) – Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield will deliver his fourth State of the Town Address on Thursday, Oct. 27 at the El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Mayor Joe Winfield will share a message based on the four pillars of local government: Economic Vitality and Fiscal responsibility; the Public Safety ecosystem; Public Works; and Parks and Recreation." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Town of Oro Valley publishes “Know Your Town’s Budget” for Fiscal Year 2022/23 

"ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Oct. 18, 2022) – The Town of Oro Valley’s Adopted Fiscal Year 2022/23 Budget has been published and is now available to residents. On June 15, the Oro Valley Town Council adopted the FY 2022/23 budget of $147.7 million. This is a $14.3 million, or an 8.8% decrease from the adopted FY 2021/22 budget that totaled $162 million. This decrease is due primarily to the Town Council approved one-time payment of $27.6 million in FY 2021/22 to eliminate the Town’s Public Safety Pension Retirement System unfunded pension liability."  View the budget.

(Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

"Rock 4 Heroes"-A Huge Success

This past Sunday, organizers held "Rockin' 4 Heroes"at Kreigh Park. The event featured music and drink. The goal is to raise funds for a heroes memorial that will be be at Naranja Park. The Quinns are the Oro Valley couple that started this because they wanted to thank the first responders for taking such good care of their son when he was battling cancer. Unfortunately their son lost this battle the year before last year's event, but his legacy lives one. There were about 2,000 in attendance.  Read more about this great event next Thursday.

Dave Perry To Retire

Dave Perry is the President and CEO of the Greater  Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. He has been with the organization for 11 years. Dave and his wife Lisa live in Oro Valley.

Council agrees to move forward with negotiating for some properties for CDO to Greenock trail extension

The Oro Valley Town Council voted to move forward with discussions to acquire two small land parcels from an HOA and the Oro Valley Country Club. The cost, as reported in LOVE this past Wednesday, is $13,000 for these parcels. There are other parcels that need to be purchased from private land owners to complete the extension. The dollar amounts of these purchases have yet to be determined and will be brought before council when such is determined. 

This section of the trail will eventually be joined by other sections to complete a connection to Kreigh Park and to the Linda Vista Trailead.

Editorial: Jacobs Exit Is An Opportunity For A Sea Change

Opportunity knocks
The exit of Town Manager Mary Jacobs presents an opportunity for a sea change in the way things get done in Oro Valley. We've identified seven areas where change would make a huge positive difference.

1. Pitting council members against each one another 

According to our sources, Jacobs was the master of pitting one council member against another.  She would do this in private meetings with council members. This practice should never been allowed. Winfield should have banned it.

2. Make sure all spending is authorized
In a September 13 Guest View, Mike Zinkin discussed town spending that was not approved by vote of Council. Jacobs would put things into memos to council discussing what she was going to do but to not  bring it to vote. Her tactic was in violation of what we think it’s still an existing policy number six of the town council. (Panel Left-Below)

Seven Areas Of Change

3. Eliminate using "business processes" to delay (sometimes forever) things that the council voted to get done
Jacobs is a process person. Everything has to fit within her business process and its timetable. The annually developed strategic plan was the cornerstone of her process.  Everything that the Council requested during the year had to fit within that framework. 

For example, this past June, when the council finally got around to discussing the use of reclaimed water, Jacobs was successful in having this important topic tabled for a year. According to Jacobs, the topic was not in the strategic plan for 2022. It would be added as a topic at the next strategy session, the following February. Thus, we are not going to hear anything on this until next June. Perhaps we will still have water by then! 

Yes. Processes are good because they provide order. Processes are bad when they are used to delay implementing decisions that need to be done. 

An elevator, even a temporary one, at the Community Center has been approved and in the budget for the past two years. But it has not been implemented. That’s because Jacobs didn’t want to implement it. Her end goal was to completely rebuild the Community Center and to add an elevator at that time. Perhaps now, with a new town manager, the town will do something to help those who are mobility challenged get reasonable access to the Community Center.

4. Reorganize to protect the essence of Oro Valley ... not to foster unwanted growth

Jacobs has focussed town staff on growth. One way she did this is in the way she organized the to town. For example, the town's Planning and Zoning Department is an arm of the Economic Development Department. We’re not sure when it became part of an effort to influence growth in our community. 

Town Council Policy 6

The goal of the Planning and Zoning Department should be to interpret and to enforce town codes as approved in the General Plan. This is no longer the case. We have seen countless times the enthusiasm of the planning staff to recommend exceptions to Oro Valley code they just didn’t make sense. Seventy foot  tall buildings with minimal setback from Oracle Road and Tangerine Road at the Oro Valley Marketplace don’t cut it in Oro Valley. Yet the town planning staff specifically, thought this was supported by the general plan. It is not.

More recently, town Public Works Director Keesler stated that he is not advocating for the two tiny rental homes Avilla projects in Rancho Vistoso; but that it would be nice to do because it might fix a road design problem. 

5. Get "straight answers"

It's hard to get forthright information from the town.  For example, several weeks ago, we published two articles regarding the mess in the desert that has been perpetuated for several years by Meritage Homes Silverhawke Project contractors.  Since we knew for certain that the town had formally noticed Meritage of this problem, we asked the town if there was a process in which repeated violations result in escalating penalties. We were told by the town that Meritage had never had been noticed for this. Gee! We had the citation letter in our hands. We even got it from the town.

6. Cut back on Executive Sessions

The Winfield years have been marked by a significant number of Executive Sessions. These are allowed when council discusses personnel, legal or contractual issues. Oro Valley seems to have lot of these issues because the Council is always going into Executive Session. 

It seems to us as though the Council goest into Executive Session if there is even a hint of the matter touching on one of these three areas areas. For example, they were scheduled to discuss the fact that the light poles at Naranja Park are too close to the playing field in  public.  They made that an Executive Session discussion, never discussing it in public. We have no idea why they moved it from public to private discussion. They never explained it.

7. Winfield leads

Mayor Joe Winfield relied on the Town Manager. As recently as a year ago, he sent an email to a resident stating his complete trust in her. His trust was not earned by her. It was given by him.

Winfield should retain a town manager whose vision is consistent with his and with the council majority. The Mayor needs to define this vision clearly, communicate it publicly and then find someone who will implement it.

Tonight, the Council will meet to discuss the process for hiring a town manager. We hope that the process is a robust one that searches "far and wide" for the best person. 

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Winfield’s Narrow Win: “A Tale Of Two Deeds”

Winfield’s 2022 Narrow Mayoral Victory is a “tale of two deeds”

There were two major events that involved Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield. One was saving 45-holes of municipal golf. The other was creating a nature preserve from the former Vistoso Golf Course.  Last week, at the polls, Winfield was punished for one and rewarded for the other.

Punishment for making 45-holes of municipal golf financially viable

Joe Winfield inherited a big problem when he entered office in 2018. That problem was 45-holes of municipal golf that, under the leadership of the prior mayor, was a mult-million dollars, money sucking problem. Winfield received a large percentage of the votes in that election because voters thought he would fix the problem: Fix, as in, close one of the18 hole municipal golf courses; turn it into a linear park; and lease the 9-hole Pusch View Course to HSL Properties.

Winfield started in that direction. He was met with substantial golf community resistance. Several hundred members of that community attended multiple hearings on the matter, imploring the Mayor not to close anything. 

There was so much push back that Winfield changed direction. He set out on a course to find a way to make municipal golf financially sustainable with no more than a $750,000 annual town subsidy. According to the town and Winfield, he did just that.

One would think that the municipal golf community would reward Winfield for his success. Rather, they punished him at the polls last week. The two voting precincts that essentially comprise the municipal golf community (precincts 194 and 12) voted overwhelmingly for Danny Sharp last week, Sharp received 2,276 votes. Winfield received 1,650 votes. That’s a difference of 626 votes.  For all of his effort, Winfield got 42% of the vote. That’s quite a punishment for the person who saved Oro Valley Municipal Golf!

Reward for creating the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve

So how did Winfield win? He received overwhelming support for his work in creating a nature preserve from the former Vistoso Golf Course. What he did was to step in to make the deal happen. Negotiations between the owner of the course, involved residents, and the Conservation Fund were “dead in the water.” Winfield and Vice Mayor Barrett, together with Town Council Attorney Rothschild got involved, putting the force of the town behind the resident effort to create the preserve. They were successful. It is a reality today.

Last week’s Rancho Vistoso resident vote was a reward for Winfield for his effort. He received 5,942 votes to Danny Sharp’s 4,691. That’s an 1,251 voted difference in favor of Winfield.  Winfield received 65% of the vote in the precinct most closely impacted by the Preserve.

Fortunately for Winfield, the vote count reward he received for doing the right thing to create the nature preserve exceeded the punishment he got for saving municipal golf.

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Four More Years? Yes or No? It’s Up To You

Oro Valley votes for mayor and council tomorrow  
Tomorrow, Oro Valley votes on who will be their Mayor and town council. 

It is a “winner take all scenario for Mayor

The mayor will either be former Police Chief Danny Sharp or Current Mayor Joe Winfield. Four years ago, Winfield won a landslide victory over then Mayor Satish Hiremath. Winfield received more than 58% of the 15,817 votes cast. Four years earlier, Hiremath won a landslide victory over his opponent, receiving more than 62% of the 11,027 votes cast. This earned him a second term as Mayor. 

We’ve covered the mayoral candidates and their views during the past four weeks. Still, we think it important to hear a bit from their supporters on why they support their candidate.

Sharp supporters say Danny is the best candidate

Mary Murphy is a six year resident of Oro Valley. She is also a member or the town’s Board of Adjustment. One of the reasons she chose to live in Oro Valley was the town’s outstanding public safety record. Here’s why Mary believes that Danny Sharp would be an excellent Mayor:

• With a forty-year career in law enforcement, he has a documented record of community and service orientation, and as the spouse of a retired first responder, I fully understand the commitments they make on a daily basis.
• While serving as police chief, he was asked to step in as Acting Town Manager for over a year. He took on this additional challenge without hesitation. That the Town looked for him to take on this task, and his willingness to do it indicate both a high level of competence and a commitment to our community. While filling this role, Danny gained valuable knowledge and insight into all aspects of town operations and funding. This experience is something few mayors have and is critically important here in Oro Valley, considering the current financial climate both locally and nationally.
• Danny was one of the founders of Project Graduation in Oro Valley, a program designed to keep our young people safe on graduation night, and he continues to volunteer his time to this important program. As a mom, this commitment really resonates with me. 
• Danny and his family demonstrate their love of Oro Valley by participating in the “Adopt a Road” program. For years the Sharp family has been clearing trash and debris from a large section of Naranja Drive, helping to keep Oro Valley beautiful. 
• Additionally, Danny is also a member of the Oro Valley Hospital Board, and as someone with a background in the medical field, I find this to be quite admirable. Viewed with his other activities, this shows Danny’s commitment to the town as a whole, one that serves all its residents.

Winfield supporters say that Joe is the best candidate

Jack Stinnett is a long-time resident and former Chairman of the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission. He is passionate about our community and passionate in his support of Joe Winfield. Here are his thoughts:

• The Winfield council has moved Oro Valley forward in every area, and Oro Valley today is the best place to live in Arizona. 
• They have invested in our police officer’s pay and pensions to retain the men and women who keep Oro Valley the safest town in the state. 
• They have improved the town’s financial rating to AA+, and paid off police pension debt that will avoid millions in future pension liabilities. They have used golf savings to improve and expand recreation amenities without any new taxes. Topping it off is our new 202 acre Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve that Joe refused to rezone for high density development. 
• Mayor Winfield’s vision is to grow Oro Valley responsibly. He has self funded his campaign and will decide what is best for residents, NOT Tucson apartment developers, and real estate PACs who have funded his challenger. 
• Finally, Mayor Winfield is the most honest man I know, and we need leaders who tell us the truth even when it is not what we want to hear.

Don’t forget to vote for three open council seats

The Mayor does not make decisions alone. It is the town council of which he is a member, that has the final say. There are six candidates vying for the three open council seats. Here’s who they are:

• Melanie Barrett is the town’s Vice Mayor. One of her focus areas is representing the needs of families with school age children
• Joe Erceg is a business development candidate. Joe wants to bring more sports activities into the community 
• Charlie Hurt has lived in Oro Valley for 16 years. He is a former member and chair of the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission and a former member and chair of the town’s Water Utility Commission 
• Joyce Jones-Ivey is a current council member. She takes pride in being an independent thinker. Joyce does not “go along to just get along.” 
• Josh Nicolson brings a financial perspective to the council. His insight into finance was one of the driving forces in the town fully funding the public safety pension plan 
• Bill Rodman served as council member from 2016 to 2020. Rodman is a proponent of growing the town to support business and to support the town’s finances. He voted for all approved general plan and zoning amendments during his prior tour on council. 

These six have affiliated themselves with one of the two mayoral candidates. But you don’t have to vote for one or all of them simply because they have done that. You can “mix and match.” 

We will be back Wednesday to report preliminary results

These results will likely include about 98% of the total votes cast. However, there will still be “provisional” and possibly late mail in ballots not yet counted. It could take a few more days for those.

So, Oro Valley, it’s election time.

Do your job!

Guest View-Diane Peters: Danny Sharp’s Claim Is Quite A Stretch

Mayoral Candidate Danny Sharp’s comment in the Explorer
In the June 22nd edition of the Explorer, Oro Valley mayoral candidate Danny Sharp continued his battle cry that the OVPD is understaffed, and then says, “I mean this town was founded on the premise of strong public safety. They [the Winfield council] are not attending to that strong public safety piece that the Founding Fathers of Oro Valley thought was important."

This is the first time I’ve heard that Oro Valley was founded on the premise of strong public safety. Every article I’ve read on this topic over the years has stated that Oro Valley was founded because residents didn’t want to be annexed into Tucson. They wanted to control their own destiny. They wanted to protect the desert landscape. The founders also promised that Oro Valley would never have a property tax. Now that the former chief of police is running for mayor, suddenly we’re told that Oro Valley was founded on the premise of strong public safety.

The Oro Valley Historical Society (OVHS) published an article on LOVE in April 2021 about Oro Valley Founding Father, Jim Kriegh. They listed all of the reasons that he wanted to incorporate Oro Valley. Strong public safety is not mentioned.

Here is what was mentioned in the OVHS article:

The Main Reason was to continue “Country Living”
When asked why he wanted to incorporate Oro Valley, Kriegh said the main reason was that he believed that Tucson was “going to spread to the North and Northwest, and there goes country living. Country living is why I am here.”

With that, Kriegh ensured that his core value of protecting the environment was encompassed in Oro Valley’s first General Plan which included the following objectives:

• Ensure that development is compatible with the area’s topography, natural landscape and resources

• Promote physical forms which are in harmony with the natural environment and reflect a design quality appropriate to the area

• Protect the natural beauty and qualities of the existing desert environment

• Encourage the preservation of the mountains, foothills, and hillsides

Police protection was barely a blip on Kriegh’s radar screen
In a video interview that Jim gave many years ago, he was asked why he wanted to form a separate town. In that interview he again spoke of land use issues and that the founders were not happy with the Planning and Zoning being approved by the Pima County Board of Supervisors and that the Board was not responding to their desires and requests. This was why the founders wanted to “gain control of our area.” He briefly mentioned that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department was “spread too thin and just could not cover the area” and as such, he felt that our police protection could be better. But this comment was barely a blip on the radar screen and he never said that Oro Valley was founded on the premise of strong public safety.

The recurring theme in Jim Kriegh’s plan
As you can see, the recurring theme in Kriegh’s desire to incorporate was to preserve country living. Therefore, Sharp’s assertion that “this town was founded on the premise of strong public safety” is quite a stretch.

Our public safety is doing just fine under Mayor Winfield
In April of this year, the Town announced that, “OV was ranked the #1 safest place to live in Arizona for 2022 by Elite Personal Finance, using FBI statistics and crime scores.”

Additionally, as reported on LOVE on May 16th, during the May 2022 Budget Study Session, Chief Riley stated that she got everything she asked for in her $19.1M police budget request. (Town Manager’s Recommended Budget for FY 2022/23 which begins on July 1, 2022). You can read about it HERE. And on June 24th, the OVPD announced that they were hiring more lateral police officers.

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Diane Peters has lived in Oro Valley since 2003, moving here to escape the humidity of the East Coast. She’s been involved in OV politics and development issues since 2006, including organizing a citizens group in 2014 that spent 9 months negotiating a controversial 200-acre development project. In her past life, she worked in medical research at various University Hospitals in New England. Her interests include reading, writing, nature photography, travel, art galleries, museums, and politics.

Guest View-Rosa Dailey: Leadership That Turned A Problem Into A Nature Preserve

In a few short weeks a remarkable accomplishment will come to fruition. Through the collaborative leadership of Mayor Winfield and Vice Mayor Barrett of our current Town Council, and Mike Ford of The Conservation Fund, our Town will become the owner of the new Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. That will happen when The Conservation Fund transfers the title for more than 200 acres of land that was once the Vistoso golf course to the Town of Oro Valley. In all, the deal took 21 months to complete and became the land transaction Mike Ford regards as one of the most challenging of his more than two-decade career with The Conservation Fund.

Suffice to say that when a piece of land is in play in Oro Valley there is no shortage of opportunism. Despite a community commitment of more than $1.8 million, there were multiple delays and many disappointing tactics to navigate and endure, some caused by people who should know better and garner a higher moral compass in their capacity to serve.

Regardless of the obstacles, the leadership held. Mike Ford secured two of the three appraisals it took to work with the unreasonable property owner while respecting his fiduciary responsibility to the over 600 community donors who deserved a fair price in the purchase of the land.

Mayor Winfield and Vice Mayor Barrett authored a total of three unanimously supported council motions to keep the deal moving forward and provide the necessary Town backing. In doing so, they balanced their support for those of us who live in one of the 17 neighborhoods directly affected by the Vistoso property with their duty to do what is in the best interest of all citizens of Oro Valley. The ability to make the correct decision when honoring more than one obligation is a hallmark of effective leadership and the Vistoso deal proves this truth.

On July 8th you can take a walk in Oro Valley’s new nature preserve.

On August 2nd you can vote for the true proven leadership that made it happen and reelect Mayor Joe Winfield and Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett to the Oro Valley Town Council. 

Rosa Dailey

Oro Valley Resident

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Publisher Note: Rosa Dailey is a 15 year resident of Rancho Vistoso. She worked tirelessly for years to make the Vistoso Preserve a reality.

Guest View-Mayor Winfield: Naranja Park Buildout Provides Recreation Opportunity For All

In early July, Oro Valley voters will be receiving ballots for the 2022 election or a Mayor and three town council members. LOVE plans to keep you informed regarding each candidate. In this regard, we’ve offered the pages of LOVE to each candidate. We’ve asked that they submit guest views. Mayor Winfield has provided the following “Guest View”. 

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Naranja Park Buildout Provides Recreation Opportunity For All
Last Tuesday I had the privilege to speak at the groundbreaking for the Naranja Park expansion. It was an exciting day for me personally, and for the many young families in attendance. What started as a vision when the Town acquired the 213 acre site in 1998 is now well underway to becoming the best recreational facility in our region.

Over the past two years, the Town involved the community in developing a Parks and Recreation Master Plan. From this plan came a new design for Naranja Park that works with the topography of the site to reduce grading, and allow the site to be expanded for half the previous plan’s cost.

Improvements and upgrades to Community Center exterior amenities were identified and also determined to be a priority. The improvements at the Community Center tennis courts and golf irrigation replacement are already underway and will be completed sometime in 2024.

To construct these improvements, the Town has obtained a $25 million parks and recreation bond at 2.3% interest, which will be funded by the half-cent sales tax revenues that were previously required to subsidize golf. In 2018, the golf subsidy was $1.75 million; as fiscal year 2021 ends, we now project NO subsidy for golf.

The Town’s successful golf management efforts included changing the golf operator to Indigo Sports, changing the operating model of the courses from a country club model to a municipal model, and opening all course to outside play. We have grown memberships, and benefit from a $125,000 annual contribution from adjacent HOAs.

Using bond financing for these capital projects at a record low interest rate has allowed the Town to design and build the park as a whole, saving both time and millions of dollars. It will also allow our current and future residents to enjoy these amenities years sooner without any tax increase.

Naranja Park, identified as the highest priority, will be expanded with new amenities: 4 additional multi-use fields, 6 pickleball courts, 3 basketball courts, a bike pump track, a skate park, a splash pad and paved walking trails. At the Community Center residents will enjoy a resurfaced and expanded parking lot, upgraded and improved tennis courts, 4 new pickleball courts for a total of 10. Both the El Conquistador and Canada golf courses will have their 40 year old irrigation systems replaced. Multi-use paths will be added to La Canada Drive and Naranja Drive to provide safe off road access to the Community Center and Naranja Park.

Health and wellness are important to our community. These new and improved amenities will provide expanded outdoor activities for existing and future Oro Valley residents. They will provide opportunities for physical fitness and social interaction for years to come.

Joe Winfield

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