Bits and Pieces

Zinkin steps back

Former council member and community activist Mike Zinkin has decided to step back from Oro Valley politics. He will not be running for council in August.  "Since 2005, I've been actively involved in Oro Valley affairs, and now it's time for me to step back and allow new voices to emerge as vigilant observers."  Mike does plan to continue his focus on the massive waste of water that Town uses to irrigate two parks and a golf course. "I will continue to critique the excessive misuse of Oro Valley's drinkable water. This waste is avoidable."  (Source: Email to LOVE)

No end in sight for Town's waste of drinking water

At the moment, it seems that the town council is not focused on this drinking water waste. They're not going to consider extending the reclaimed water system to these southern areas of the town.  We think they're waiting to see what the State is going to do regarding purification of this water and its reintroduction in the drinking water system. In the meantime, over the years (and there will be many of them), the town is going to continue to waste many millions of gallons of drinking water. "With the end of 2023, it's clear that throughout the year, the Town squandered 74,275,000 gallons of our drinking water on their properties. To put this in perspective, this amount could have supplied over 10,600 homes, considering the average household's monthly usage of 7,000 gallons. For comparison, the Canada Hills Community Association comprises about 3,100 homes." (Source: Zinkin Email to LOVE)

Tarris' "Centennial" Trip begins Sunday

Oro Valley resident Tim Tarris and Buchanan Bleeker are on their way around the world in a single engine plane, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first flight around the world. Love will follow the 32 plus day event. Read more about Tim's exciting adventure Tuesday.

Firefighters endorse Murphy for Council

The North Tucson Firefigthers union has endorsed Mary Murphy for town council. They note in their January 20 letter: "You have proven to put public safety at the top of your priority list, and we thank you. Your advocacy for and the understanding of public safety issues is commendable. We believe your experience and authentic desire to better your community makes you a strong candidate for this position. Additionally, your commitment to making sure our town is safe has been unwavering. We look forward to working with you in the needs of the community." (Source: January 20 letter to Mary Murphy)

50th Anniversary Celebration in progress

"The Town of Oro Valley proudly announces its upcoming 50th Anniversary on April 15, 2024. The Town invites residents to join in a year-long celebration filled with exciting events and collaborations with local businesses as we reflect on half a century of history, growth and community.  From community events to historical and arts exhibits, a diverse range of activities has been planned, including a 50th Anniversary Parade on April 6 and a special community celebration on April 13."  Learn more here. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Guest View-Don Cox: Council Inaction on Growth-“Lean Years Are Coming”

A friend forwarded a copy of a recent post on this blog. After reading it, I felt compelled to submit some thoughts of my own about the post and the Town of Oro Valley in general.

That post was penned by Mike Zinkin. If you have been around the Oro Valley for 20+ years, you probably know that Mike and I have had a few differences over the years. What may surprise you is that in the past couple of years, we have discovered that we agree on many issues. In fact, he and I have been featured jointly on the Jim Horn’s Oro Valley Podcast” in recent weeks. So at this time, I want to ‘dovetail’ on some of his commentary.

In the past 5 years, the governance of Oro Valley has taken a well oiled financial machine, the envy of the vast majority of the municipalities in the United States and placed it on the road to financial failure. Unfortunately we have now moved into the fast lane of that road.

The current Town Manager’s proposed FY 2023/2024 budget is nothing more than documenting the stated desires of the Town Council in writing, and then assigning a cost to it. It does not address the needs of the town. Rather, it reflects the personal desires of the town council members. A “splash pad” did not come from the residents. it came from Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett. A “Pump Track” did not come from the Town residents. It came from, Councilman Josh Nicholson. 

About 3 or 4 months ago you were given a clear ‘red flag message’ when the Director of Public Works, Paul Kessler, announced at a Town Meeting that the estimated cost of the ‘projects’ on the Town Council wish list, which was to be paid for by that $50 million non-resident approved bond, was closer to $100 million. How does Winfield and crew, make a $50 million error on a $50 million bond? The answer to that question is simple. It’s fiscal irresponsibility!!

I have spent a great deal of time examining the Oro Valley proposed FY 2023/2024 revenue budget. It’s available on the Town website for all to see.

Here are some direct quotes from the Revenue Summary: 

“Local sales tax is expected to show gains over the FY 22/23budget, but a slight decline when compared to with the FY 22/23 actual revenue.”
Translation: Our sales tax revenue is going down

“This is largely attributable to construction sales tax, as permitting activity has slowed from the highs we saw during the COVID -19 pandemic.”
Translation: We are building fewer homes. Where have you heard that before? Yours truly!!! 

“The Town is projecting 119 single family residential (SFR) permits for FY 23/24 compared to the 171 SFR permits budgeted for FY 22/23. Commercial development revenues are expected to decrease based on projected building activity.”

Translation: “Commercial follows residential.” We have no residential growth therefore we have no commercial growth.  

Now my friends, is the 1600 hundred pound elephant in the room

The current Town Council majority has not approved a single residential development in Oro Valley (with the exception of a 64 +/- project that was already approved by Pima County before it was annexed)! No new commercial development has been approved in the same period. The exception to the latter statement is the Marketplace re-development which they gutted for no logical reason. The 2018 campaign promise of a “Moratorium on Growth”, which was later denied by Melanie Barrett, has become a reality.

From the time of Council approval, it takes an average of 3 years for projects to start generating construction sales tax. Construction sales tax is currently running about $6,000,000 a year. Translation: This Town Council majority has created an eight year void in the Construction Sales Tax pipeline. That’s $6 million a year that is going away for a minimum of 8 years. And that money is not replaceable.

Prepare yourselves for some very lean years in our immediate future if we don’t come up with a way to generate more income for the Town.

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Don Cox moved to Oro Valley in 1997.  He has served on various town committees including an extended stint as a chair and vice chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  He is a member of the Oro Valley Optimist Club and the Arizona Youth Partnership.

Guest View-Mike Zinkin: The Town Manager's Recommended Budget Is Not For The Residents

The TMRB is for the staff
The Town Manager’s Recommended Budget ("TMRB") has little to offer the citizens, but instead caters to the town employees.

Really, should you pay 100% of employee benefits?
It is true that there are no merit/step increases this year due to the pandemic, however, the budget asks that the Town ("You") pay 100% of the employee’s health benefits, if they choose the high deductible option. The budget states on page 18 that the employer contribution to the employee’s health premiums is $3,220,753, while the employee contribution is a mere $571,509. The employer (you) are paying 85% of the health premiums. What other employer pays 85% of health costs in today’s environment, especially during a pandemic when revenues are strained?

Restore Steam Pump Ranch Garage for employee space?
The TMRB on page 114 states that $550,000 is set aside to restore the garage at Steam Pump ranch. The recent Capital Needs Assessment identified this need. However, the use of the restored garage was intended for the Oro Valley Historical Society, NOT for employee office space. Again the needs of the citizens take a back seat to staff.

Use Bed Tax revenues for non tourism purposes?
Do not let the Town Manager have free rein on those revenues.  Page iii of the TMRB states the desire for the Council to remove all restrictions on our bed tax revenues. Those restrictions have been in place since our incorporation and require that a certain percentage of the bed tax revenues be spent on promoting tourism.

Yet Again...No money to make the Community Center ADA compliant?
Remember, the Council mandated that the golf course improvements be implemented on a pay as you go model. There has never been an $800,000 positive balance in the Community Center Fund, especially after transferring $120,000 to the General Fund to pay the mandated payback for the original start-up and transferring $148,000 to pay the Energy Efficiency Bond. Where is this money going to come from? Where is the money to make the Community Center building ADA compliant?

Council,  join with me: "Get into the weeds!"
There is a budget commission in place made up of citizens to help represent the people. Meet with them and ask for their input. Mayor and Council members, for the sake of your constituents, question the TMRB and get into the weeds as there are some real problems in this document.
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Guest View Mike Zinkin: The Ongoing Saga of the FY 2020/21 Budget

This article continues my review of the 126-page 2020-21 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget (TMRB). The “onion skin”, comparative line item detail by expense category, that I mentioned in that article was not in the submission. It will be forthcoming due to the action of some of our more responsible Council members. Until that happens, there are many more stories to be told with the information we have already.
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Town Manager Jacobs wants to remove restrictions on Bed Tax Revenues
On page iii of the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget (TMRB), Town Manager Mary Jacobs states that she will be asking the council to remove the restrictions on the Bed Tax revenues. Since bed tax is derived from hotel/motel stays, a certain percentage of the revenue is restricted to be spent on tourism projects (e.g. Visit Tucson). Bed tax should not be spent on general fund expenditures. It is a specific tax used for specific purposes.

Jacobs states: “This change results in the availability of $1.6 million of additional unassigned fund balance (above the $3 million mentioned earlier) that will strengthen even further the availability of reserves the Town can use to get through this crisis.”

Here’s an idea. How about responsible spending and reduced expenditures to get us through this “crisis?”

Paid employee health insurance for all town employees
On page iv of the TMRB, Jacobs recommends that since Town employees are not getting step/merit increases this year, that the Town should pay 100% of the premium for those employees who choose the high deductible health insurance plan. Page 18 of the TMRB shows that the plan is for the Town’s contribution to be $3.2 million and the employee’s share to be only $571,059. Question: How many employers in today’s world pay 85% of the employee’s health care? Answer: Very few.

Community Center upgrades take a backseat
On page 112 of the TMRB, she plans to spend $400,000 on the multi-use path around OV Marketplace. On page 114 she plans to spend $550,000 to restore the garage at Steam Pump ranch to be used as an employee office for the Recreation and Culture division. All this while not one penny is being spent to make the Community Center (a building we have owned for over 5 years) ADA compliant. Is it really more important to have more employee office space than it is to assist our handicapped citizens?

This is YOUR money. Shouldn’t your money be spent helping YOU?
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Town Manager admits that Mike Zinkin's Community Center predictions were accurate

Let's look back...

October 8, 2015

Excerpt from article by Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star. “In OV elections, golf is legitimate concern.”

“He [Zinkin] alleged that the town’s revenue projections (Community Center, golf, restaurant & tennis) are too optimistic.”

Fast-forward approximately two and a half years…

February 2, 2018

Excerpt from Town Manager, Mary Jacobs memo to the Town Council regarding Community Center and Golf Operations

“It is my professional opinion that pre-purchase financial/operational projections were overly optimistic in suggesting that initial needed capital investments in the aging facility and golf courses could be paid from the Community Center Fund. The financial model was overly reliant on a projected increase in membership, something that did not transpire as expected.”

[Thanks to Take Back OV for providing this information. View their website HERE]

Editorial ~ The Voting Record of the Oro Valley Town Council “Majority-7” (Part 3.)

This is the third of a 3-part series presenting the voting record for the new Oro Valley Town Council. Part 2 was published last week, covering their voting record from February-April.  This week we present the record from May-June. Four meetings were held.  All votes except one were unanimous.

If you missed Part 2, you can read it HERE
………………

May 3, 2017

Calling for a Special Bond Election regarding the Naranja Bond and the issuance of a Secondary Property Tax. PUBLIC COMMENT.

Three residents spoke in support including Brian Mitchell who organized the petition and Fred Narcaroti who is President of OV Sports Alliance. Two residents spoke in opposition.

Motion made by Mayor Hiremath and Seconded by Vice-Mayor Waters to approve the Special Bond Election authorizing $17 million dollars for Naranja Park ball fields.

Motion passed 7-0.

All motions this evening passed 7-0.

May 17, 2017

Adoption of the tentative budget for FY 2017/18

Motion carried 7-0. All motions this evening carried 7-0.

June 7, 2017

CONSENT AGENDA

Three items were pulled for discussion. Two are presented below.

Approval of the final design for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial.

Councilmember Hornat voiced his concerns with this item. Mayor Hiremath motioned and Rodman seconded to approve the revised concept drawing as presented. A final design will be submitted to the Council at a later date.

Councilmember Pina requested an amendment to the motion that the Town of Oro Valley would not be responsible for any maintenance of the memorial and if a cost-sharing is requested, a formal request must be submitted in writing to the Economic Development Manager for Council consideration. Hiremath and Rodman agreed to the amendment.

Motion carried 7-0.

Approval of Conceptual Public Art for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial

Councilmember Hornat voiced his concerns regarding the cost and the use of the proposed medal for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial Conceptual Public Art.

Rodman motioned and Hiremath seconded to approve the conceptual public art as presented. The final public art submittal will be presented to the Council at a later date.

Motion carried 6-1 with Councilmember Hornat opposed.

Editor’s Note: We emphasized Hornat’s “cost” concerns because back in 2014 when former Councilmember Mike Zinkin questioned the cost of sending OVPD officers to attend the Memorial Service for the Yarnell Firefighters, local resident (and Majority-7 cheerleader) Don Cox, plastered spiteful recall signs all over town claiming that Zinkin “Dishonors Fallen Firefighters.”

Councilmember Zinkin questioned a cost pertaining to the Yarnell Firefighters Memorial Service. Councilmember Hornat questioned the cost pertaining to a Veterans and First Responders Memorial.   Firefighters…First Responders… What’s the difference? One has to wonder…Where are Don Cox’s recall signs stating that Councilmember Joe Hornat Disrespects Veterans and First Responders?

REGULAR AGENDA

Consolidating the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and the Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB). PUBLIC HEARING.

The “usual suspects” spoke in support:
Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association
Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce

Motion carried 7-0.

Disbanding the CDRB only serves to eliminate another citizen opportunity to participate in Town government. Notice that home builders and the Chamber of Commerce supported less citizen participation.

Approving the adoption of the final budget for fiscal year 2017/18, including approval of the 15-year Capital Improvement program through 2031/32.

Motion carried 7-0

June 21, 2017

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember Hornat requested an amendment to the Town Code to remove term limits for Boards and Commissions.

Hornat’s reasoning was that it was difficult to get community members to serve on Boards and Commissions and also that existing members were good people who would like to continue serving. Rodman supported Hornat’s request and added that it took time for members to learn the process and also that it was difficult to find people willing to give their time and expertise.

Motion carried 7-0.

We asked former Councilmember Mike Zinkin to weigh in on this topic since he was the Council Liaison for two citizen volunteer boards. Mike offered the following:

“As the Council Liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Adjustment, I can tell you that we never had a shortage of candidates. And with the CDRB and P&Z having a higher profile in Town, I suspect that they had no problem getting candidates to apply for those volunteer openings.

Although Rodman is correct that it takes time to learn how to be an effective commissioner, it also takes time to learn how to be an effective council member. That is why the Town staggers the terms of the boards, commissions, and council."

To give a Supreme Court-like appointment to board and commission members appears to be nothing more than an engineered strategy to keep their friends and supporters in permanent Town positions.

The only thing the Council needs to change is to remove the Council Liaison position from the interview/selection process. This removes politics from the selections.

Staff will need to come back with an amendment change to the Town Code and a Public Hearing must be held prior to Council voting on this item.

REGULAR AGENDA

Grading exception for the Villages at Silverhawke subdivision (SE Corner of Tangerine and First)

Approving the Conceptual Site Plan, Landscape Plan, and Recreation Plan for the Villages at Silverhawke subdivision.

Approving the Conceptual Site Plan and Landscape Plan for the Viewpoint II at Vistoso Trails subdivision (Moore Road and Rancho Vistoso Blvd.)

Approving the transfer of $350,000 from the General Fund Surplus into the Community Center Fund and $300,000 to the Self-Insurance Benefit Fund.

Discussions ensued on all above items. All motions carried 7-0.

Mike Zinkin on Garret Lewis Radio Show

Tune in to 790 AM - KNST at 7:10 AM today (Wednesday, June 21st) to hear an in-depth discussion of today's editorial (below) on the Garret Lewis Radio Show.

Guest View: Diane Peters ~ The abject favoritism of the OV Town Council. Part 2.

Following up on Part 1 of this article, below are some of the false accusations that current Councilmember Steve Solomon made against then-Councilmember Mike Zinkin during a Town Council “Call to Audience” in October 2016.

Solomon’s claim:
Solomon asserted that Zinkin’s annual Travel and Training budget was $3000 and that he had gone over that budget by spending $9000 the previous year. He also claimed that Zinkin spent over $27,000 on travel during his four years on council, with this being more than twice his four-year combined budget of $12,000.

Fact:
Although each Council Member had a $3000 annual Travel and Training allotment, Mike Zinkin was a Leadership Fellow with the National League of Cities and Towns (NLC). There was a line-item for NLC travel in the amount of $11,500. Zinkin never came anywhere near exceeding that annual budget.

Solomon’s claim:
Solomon stated that Zinkin never requested nor obtained approval from the Town Council to exceed his travel budget and claimed that he was therefore in violation of Town policy. He called this “an unauthorized use of taxpayer funds” and asserted that Zinkin should have to repay this money back to the Town and the taxpayers.

Fact:
Since Zinkin hadn’t exceeded his travel budget, he was not required to obtain Town Council approval for additional travel. All travel expenses that he submitted were within the scope of his Travel and Training budget and were approved by the Town Manager.

This was just another one of Steve Solomon’s feeble attempts at maligning the character of anyone who doesn’t fall in lock step with his point of view.

Hypocrisy much?
Steve Solomon expected Zinkin to reimburse the town for travel and training expenses that he falsely deemed to be unauthorized and then said nothing when Mayor Hiremath’s one-day ceremonial junket to Washington, DC cost the taxpayers $3,159.00 (detailed in Part 1 of this article).

Councilmember Joe Hornat also chimed in to complain about Zinkin’s travel expenses, stating in an e-mail to Zinkin last year…

“I always thought that your out-of-state trips were little more than a boondoggle for your benefit” and that attending a conference with the NLC was “personally beneficial” to Zinkin, offered “no benefit to the Town,” was a “blatant misuse of public funds” and that Zinkin should “pay for any expenses associated with this.”

…and who then said nothing about Mayor Hiremath’s out-of-state boondoggle which was for his own benefit and involved the misuse of public funds (detailed in Part 1 of this article).

Which of the below trips constitutes a “benefit to the Town?”

Day-tripper
Mayor Hiremath and Interim Town Manager travel to Washington, DC for less than 24-hours at a cost of over $3000 so the mayor can receive a “2017 Public Leadership in the Arts Award.”

How did this trip (or the Interim Town Manager accompanying the mayor on this trip) benefit the town or the taxpayer?

Building better communities
In 2016, Councilmember Mike Zinkin participated in two trips with the National League of Cities. The details and expenses are outlined below:

National League of Cities 2016 Congressional City Conference
Washington, DC -- March 5-9, 2016

Registration                              $465.00
Airfare                                      $421.20
Lodging                                    $1848.06
Meals and Incidentals              $431.50
Personal vehicle expenses        $86.44
TOTAL EXPENSES                $3252.20

National League of Cities 2016 University Leadership Summit
Madison, WI -- Sept. 28 – Oct. 1, 2016

Registration                              $495.00
Airfare                                      $419.20
Lodging                                    $614.18
Meals and Incidentals              $196.50
TOTAL EXPENSES                $1725.58

How did these two trips benefit the Town or the taxpayer? The answer is below.

From the NLC Leadership Summit Conference Brochure

Purpose:
Solving today’s complex societal and community problems, from infrastructure to public safety, requires a collaborative, multi-sector effort. [Multiple government entities] must all work together to generate and implement creative and effective solutions. Doing so requires a special type of leader, one who understands the motivations and unique contributions of the various actors and can align common agendas, incentives, and outcomes.

Participants in the 2016 Leadership Summit will learn how to become that type of leader…Attendees will gain valuable perspective on the different sectors and will work in collaboration to address some of today’s complex problems.

Our Leadership Summit is designed for city officials…who want to solve real problems and build better communities.

Objectives:
Understand the differing roles and agendas of the private sector…the non-profit community, city and state government.

Examine successful municipal multi-sector initiatives.

Apply lessons learned to a current or future initiative.

Engage with and learn from peers and leaders from different sectors.

Outcomes:
Better working relationships with multi-sector partners.

More efficiency and economic savings on multi-sector projects and initiatives.

Better ability to establish criteria and identify approaches for successful collaborations up front (proactive rather than reactive).

Promote innovation and provide proven strategies and valuable resources that address the challenges that cities face.

Expand the capacity of city officials to serve as ethical, effective, and engaged leaders.

Don’t mess with the kingdom (a.k.a. The Empire Strikes Back)
Whereas Mike Zinkin’s trips involved community problem-solving (broadening the mind), the mayor’s cross-country trip (of which no one complained) involved receiving an award and hanging out with his buddy. Yet, the former receives complaints and the latter does not.

Why the favoritism? Because during the four years that Mike Zinkin was on council (2012-2016) he was a workhorse who spent considerable time attempting to trim the town budget by cutting waste. For his efforts, he was repeatedly maligned by the Majority-4 council members and certain town staff employees, all of whom didn’t like anyone delving too closely into town operations and expenses and trying to change the status quo.

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. In 2014, she organized a citizens group, Citizen Advocates of the Oro Valley General Plan, who over a 9-month period, successfully negotiated a controversial 200-acre development project slated for the LaCholla-Naranja-Lambert-Shannon area. 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.

The Watchdog Report: It Runs Like A (Knockoff) Rolex

The Watchdog Report
by Mike Zinkin

 It runs like a (knockoff) Rolex.

The January Financials Report
We heard time and time again how Troon was "the Rolex" of management companies. After reading the following list, you might think that Oro Valley bought a knock-off Rolex as the January financials for the Oro Valley Community Center and Golf Courses continue to be disastrous and reveal continued fiscal irresponsibility from the mayor and council.

• Troon losses for January were forecasted to be $34,161 but turned out to be $198,253. As usual Troon missed their forecast, this time by $164,092.
• In January 2016, Troon lost $62,709. That means that the losses this year were $135,544 more than last year. 
• The member dues in January 2016 were $77,475. In January 2017 the dues totaled only $59,719. That’s $17,756 less than last year.
• When the fiscal year started on July 1, 2016, Troon forecasted total losses for FY 16/17 to be $1,534,505. They have now increased the forecasted losses to be $2,035,867.
• The food and beverage portion, primarily the Overlook, was forecasted to make $10,230 in January, but actually lost $13,385, bringing the total losses to $96,034 so far in this fiscal year. 
• The Community and Recreation fund finished January 2017 at $514,403 in the red. This takes into account the sales tax revenue total of $1,255,074 (from the first seven months of the fiscal year – July 2016 through January 2017).
• The total number of rounds of outside play (non-member) was forecasted to be 2,410. The actual number of rounds played was 2,226. This is an average of 72 rounds per day. Compare this to Del Urich and Randolph (Tucson City courses), Crooked Tree (Pima County course), and The Haven (Green Valley) that all averaged over 200 rounds per day.
  

Is fiscal responsibility above their pay grade?

Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider, and Waters are the ones who voted for this albatross. Newly-elected Councilmembers Pina, Rodman, and Solomon have not stepped up to even question this irresponsible drain of the People's monies.

The Town Finance Director earns $149,848.82 a year. The Interim Town Manager earns $189,371.84 a year. Individuals deemed worthy of earning such high salaries should be expected to combat waste and inefficiency in the budget yet they have not stepped forward to advise the mayor and council that continuing this financial drain is not wise. Are they afraid that advising against this debacle would put their jobs in jeopardy? Certainly our "award winning" financial staff can see that the business model for the Oro Valley Community Center and Golf Courses is not sustainable.

Odds and Ends
Revenue from the increased sales tax is performing well, in fact, it is above the Town's projection, yet it doesn’t come close to covering the expenses. Imagine the lighted ball fields that could have been built with that $1.2 million.

Additionally, the Town has no plans to make the Community Center ADA compliant as promised and as mandated by law. I wonder how that sits with the Justice Department.

Town using HURF Funds for Community Center Maintenance
In addition, although we were told that all Community Center and Golf Course maintenance would be paid by the Community and Recreation Center Fund (CRC Fund) the Town has admitted to me via emails that they have utilized HURF monies (Highway User Revenue Fund) to cut the grass at the Community Center entrance and to resurface the cart paths. This is in defiance of State Law which states that no HURF monies shall be used for anything “other than highway and street purposes.” Why are they using HURF funds, you ask? Because the CRC Fund is broke.

LOVE is doing all it can do to inform you of what is going on. People need to step forward and contact the Town Council and tell them what you think.
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The Arizona Daily Independent publish this article last week.
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Editorial: KVOA News interviews Mike Zinkin

Mike Zinkin was recently interviewed by Channel 4 News Investigator, Matthew Schwartz, regarding the financial status of the Oro Valley Community and Recreation Center. This is a link to a video of the interview.

The mayor and interim town manager both opted out of being interviewed for the segment. The mayor supplied a written statement instead which we have published below followed by Zinkin’s response:

Mayor Hiremath’s Statement

“The Oro Valley Community Center, which includes a fitness center, pools, classes, tennis and golf, continues to grow in popularity. Membership is rising, and daily use is higher year-over-year. In fact, the Town is installing a traffic signal this year to safely facilitate the increasing flow of traffic in and out of the property.

When we look specifically at Troon operations, which includes golf, tennis and food and beverage, we are pleased to see that the Town is trending in a positive direction. Our net losses compared to last year are trending lower, while our dedicated sales tax revenue is trending higher. Last year’s overall net operating loss for Troon operations was $2.6 million, with $2 million in revenue generated from the dedicated half-cent sales tax. This year—our second year of ownership—that operating loss dropped to $2 million, and the sales tax revenue increased to $2.2 million.

In May, we will begin our third year of ownership, and we are on trend for our five-year plan. Council is committed to evaluating and assessing ALL town facilities and operations. The Town does not plan on selling the golf courses; rather, we are currently in the RFP process for a consultant to discuss land use and turf reduction options so that we can carefully consider any and all opportunities to reduce costs while still providing quality amenities to our residents and visitors.”

The reporter supplied a copy of Hiremath’s statement to Zinkin who then sent the following reply to the reporter:

Mike Zinkin’s Response

“The Mayor is wrong.

First of all the fact that the Town's sales tax is trending above last year is not relevant to Troon's losses. If you go to the April 6, 2016 Council Meeting agenda, you can see the Financials through January 2016.

• In December 2015, Troon's losses were $135,714. In December 2016 the losses were $171,848. 

• In January 2016, the losses were $62,709. In January 2017, the losses were $198,253. 

• The food and beverage portion of Troon showed losses of $4,681 in January 2015. In January 2016 the losses were $13,385.

This is hardly trending in a positive direction.

It is true that the Fitness portion might be stable or growing. I never said otherwise. However, golf membership is dropping and the losses are increasing. (All of these numbers can be found on the Town's website.)

If the trend for the 5-year plan is to continue to lose money, then they are on target. I don't think anybody mentioned selling the golf courses. To do so would require a vote of the People, not the Council.

I failed to mention to you that I know about an individual that has had a meeting with the Interim Town Manager, Finance Director, and Parks and Rec. Director to lease the food and beverage portion of the property. There has been no feedback from the Town.

The RFP mentioned is for a study of land use, such as turf reduction...there is no contracted option to GIVE UP GOLF.”

Editor’s Comments
By claiming to be “unavailable for comment” and releasing a prepared statement instead, both Mayor Hiremath and Interim Town Manager, Danny Sharp, dodged answering any tough questions on camera.

Also, it was unfair for the reporter to only interview a couple of people who have golf memberships. A more balanced report would have included interviews with two or three OV residents who are not members and are not benefiting from the Community Center acquisition.

More information on the mayor’s comment regarding the installation of a traffic signal at the entrance to the Community Center can be found here.

Watch the KVOA interview here.

Guest View-Mike Zinkin: El Conquistador Golf Course Still Losing Money

Golf Memberships Update
The table that follows details the number of golf memberships for the current fiscal year which began on July 1, 2016.

As you can see, they lost 5 members in August, another 13 members in September, and 6 members in October. November is the only month showing an increase in memberships, but is still 20 members short of the memberships in July despite the fact that November temperatures are much more favorable for playing golf

In reality. there are only 216 dues-paying members out of the 230 total members since members over age 90 pay no dues.

Troon stated that they needed 318 members by December 31, 2016. There are actually only 216 dues-paying members since members over age 90 pay no dues. In other words, Troon needed a membership increase from 216 to 318 in the month of December. It’s not likely that they added 100 new memberships in one month but I will provide an update when the figures become available.

Revenue Update
In addition, golf revenue from July through September 2015 was $135,723. Golf revenue for the same time period in 2016 is $109,380. This is $26,343 less revenue than the prior year. As of September 2016, the Community and Recreation Fund (the fund set aside to pay for all this) is $201,294 in the red. This fund includes the increased sales tax revenue. ly through September 2016 total golf revenue was $109,380. This is $26,343, about 19% less than the revenues of $135,723 for the same time frame in 2015.

The food and beverage numbers are somewhat better. Through September 2015, the losses were $88,178, while through September 2016 the losses are $48,902. The bottom line remains that the food and beverage portion (primarily the Overlook Restaurant) is still losing a lot of money…your money.

Golf Losses Update

In the first three months of the fiscal year (July 1 through September 30) the golf losses are still quite high at $760,069.  They are predicting year end losses of $1,538,678.  In order for that to happen, golf can lose only $778,609 in the remaining 9 months of the fiscal year.  It seems improbable that golf will lose $778,000 in the next nine months when it lost $760,000 in just the first three months.  Remember that last year we ended over $2.4 million in the red. 

The financials for October and November 2016 are supposed to be on the January 17^th Council agenda.  I will provide an update as soon as those figures become available.

Guest View-Mike Zinkin: Disagreement Is Not Incivility

When Did It Become Uncivil To Disagree
 I have read with interest the opposition candidates constant claims that they will bring respect and civility to the Council. The implication being that Bill, Brendan and I are disrespectful and uncivil.

Just because one disagrees with another does not mean they are uncivil.

Yes, I disagree with the purchase of the golf course, the approval of a 5-story building, and the increase of the sales tax…and thousands of Oro Valley citizens agree with me. Yes, I pull the financials from the consent agenda in order to affirm from the Town Directors our exact losses pertaining to the golf and restaurant investment. How does this make me disrespectful or uncivil?

I have put up with a barrage of disrespectful and uncivil actions from the Majority-4. Examples of true incivility and disrespectful behavior would include writing an Op-ed (the Mayor) advocating for a fellow council member's recall and timing it to be published on Christmas day, writing the State Bar Association (Mayor and Vice-Mayor Waters) asking that a fellow Council member be disbarred, writing the County Attorney (Mayor) asking for an investigation in order to disqualify a fellow Council member, and standing outside a supermarket (Councilmember Hornat) attempting to gather signatures for a recall of a fellow Councilmember.

I will continue to disagree with those who do not stand up for your General Plan. I will continue to disagree with those who spend your money foolishly. I will continue to disagree with raising taxes and reducing lot sizes for new home construction. Don't let the opposing candidates fool you into believing that these things equate to being disrespectful or uncivil.

The choice will be yours in August. You can have a Council that will ignore your needs and agree only with each other, or you can elect those who will listen to and stand up for you. I hope that I can continue to count on your support and your vote.

Mike Zinkin
Oro Valley Town Council Member

Guest View-Frank Pitts: Observations Of A Commission Member,

On several occasions I observed Councilmembers Brendan Burns, Bill Garner, and Mike Zinkin (the three) go above and beyond to support our little Town. Some of their actions, almost exclusive to them, include questioning budget numbers, the golf courses purchase, and new developments. Councilmember Zinkin arranged additional meetings with neighbors and developers.  All three fully support and uphold the Town’s General Plan. During 2014 and 2015, I served on the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission ("P & Z").  I was the squeaky wheel on the Commission.  I would often vote against staff recommendations when they did not follow Oro Valley’s General Plan.

In March 2014, before my first P & Z meeting, I prepared diligently; walked the proposed rezoning property; read the entire General Plan; and contacted Town Staff with my questions and concerns with the proposed rezoning. I was informed by Town Staff that the Oro Valley General Plan is only a guideline and that Oro Valley ordinances and codes are the only rules to follow.  Yet, at my first P & Z meeting, staff only presented guidelines from the General Plan.  

After encountering several road blocks from Town Staff, P & Z Chairman Cox and Councilmember Hornat, I began to realize this was not an environment to question “authority”.  My 2 years as a Commissioner were filled with 6 – 1 votes with me being the sole “Nay” voter.  I wanted to voice my concerns about the “build til we bust” mentality.  I found only Councilmembers Burns, Garner, and Zinkin were willing to listen.  Through observation and discussion, I learned that these three were the only ones on council who always prepared for meetings by expending the time and effort to do their own research on the issues. They often question items brought before the Council, and vote according to what best suits Oro Valley.

During my time on P&Z, the Neighborhood Meeting Process needed revisions. Oro Valley Resident Bill Adler and I met and worked together to identify what would be a balanced process for the residents and developers. The Council changed part of the Neighborhood Meeting Process for the better, but not all. Councilmembers Burns, Garner, and Zinken fought for more transparency, but being in the minority their recommendations were nullified.

I did not achieve more compliance with the General Plan during my tenure on the P &Z Commission, but my voice was heard by the three councilmembers who care about using the General Plan in decision making. These three are the core reason Oro Valley hasn’t been pushed further with more rooftops and urbanization of our open spaces.  

Councilmembers Zinkin, Burns and Garner are fighting to keep the GOLD in Oro Valley.

Frank Pitts
Oro Valley

"The War On MIke Zinkin"

The latest game being run by the Majority-4 on Council Member Zinkin seeks to discredit him. They are using the weight and the financial resources of your town to hassle Zinkin for a good natured joke he made at a council meeting in October, a joke they laughed at. You can watch the council's deliberation here.

Here's what one resident and council member Zinkin thinks of this latest move.
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The Majority-4 of Hiremath,  Hornat, Snider and Waters won their recall election by a nominal 51%. That leaves as 49% of the eligible voters who were not happy with them. This was after the development community pumped nearly $100,000 into their campaigns.

Mike Zinkin is a 3-year council member who has been at odds with the Majority-4 for most of his time in office. As a result there have been a goodly number of attempts by them to remove him.

It started with various allegations of misconduct which turned out to be just that. Never proven.

Their next tactic was to attempt to recall the council member. This attempt failed however when they were unable to obtain sufficient signatures (2,000) from the Oro Valley citizenry.

The latest accusation includes the alleged “sexual harassment” of an employee. This happened because Mr. Zinkin, in a joke from the dais at an October council meeting, made reference that it has taken so long for the General Plan update to be completed that Mr. Zinkin’s hair has gone gray and that an employee is still trying to grow a beard.

Mayor Hiremath and other council members laughed at the joke.

This is considered “sexual harassment” by the Majority-4 council members?

Are we living in the safe world of Disneyland or in a sissified self created fantasy world? As they say: "Get a grip on reality."

It is understood that the Majority-4 would like to have Zinkin out of the way, and appoint someone in his seat that agrees with them. This would create a “Super Majority” with 5 votes, and give the five a monopoly on policy making.

Is this what the citizens of Oro Valley want?

Rudy Roszak
Oro Valley Resident
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