2025 TMRB: Differences in Personnel Costs Highlight The Variety of Skills Needed To Keep Oro Valley Successful

Now is the time

No added staffing in 2025 TMRB

The Town of Oro Valley has 425 full-time equivalent employees. The 2025 TMRB calls for keeping that number essentially the same in 2025. The total 2025 TMRB cost is $43.3 million, which is 31% of the $137.4 million in identified spending in the TMRB. 

"Big Four" Departments" dominate personnel spending...

Yesterday, we reported that 80% of all TMRB identified spending is attributed to four departments. These same four departments employ 77% of the town staff, comprising 76% of the total TMRB personnel cost.

...and have the most visible roles in the community

One would expect to see the bulk of Oro Valley’s workforce supporting these four departments (Public Safety, Public Works, Water, and Parks) because each department’s responsibilities require people “doing stuff you see.” Indeed, we see these people every day. The police patrol our streets and neighborhoods; public works crews rejuvenate our roads; water crews fix pumping facilities; and parks personnel mow lawns and water the new trees planted.

Disparity in personnel cost among departments...

There is a significant range difference in the average personnel cost per person across different departments (see panel right). The town's TMRB average cost per employee is $102,000. The average cost per public safety full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel is $129,500, while the average Parks and Recreation FTE receives less than half of that. Water and public works personnel costs per FTE are also much lower. The Legal and Finance departments have an average personnel cost per person greater than that of the police department. Other departments, such as information technology and the town manager's office, also have relatively high personnel costs. 

... likely reflects the nature of the work and labor market conditions

These differences likely reflect the varying skill levels required for specific jobs in these departments and prevailing labor market conditions. Understanding these differences is crucial for informed budget planning and resource allocation in the town.  

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TMRB Seeks Added Staffing for 2023-24... No Reductions Planned

Six new positions... Total of 424 Town of Oro Valley Employees

The 2023 town manager recommended budget includes an increase of five new full-time and two part-time positions. This will bring the total number of people employed by the Town to 424. 

Where are they?

We see many of them on the roads because they are employed by the Police Department. We see other town employees on the roads because they are part of the Public Works Department. We know that many work in the Water Department because they provide beautifully clear fresh water every day. When we go to our Parks, we see them maintaining the facility that we are visiting that day. Indeed, more than three quarters of the town's employees are in these four departments (see chart below, right).

Police: 140 personnel, including 1 new position, $18.7 million cost
Half of the personnel in the Department are deployed in Field Services. Field Services is responsible for the uniformed patrol functions of the Department, including 24-hour response to the initial investigation of crimes and incidents, traffic enforcement and control, crash investigations, community policing programs and specialized operations such as SWAT and K-9.

Most of the remaining staff is involved in support services. The includes the Criminal Investigations Unit, Crime Analyst, Task Force Operations, Property and I.D., School Resource Officers, Community Resources, Citizen Volunteer Assistants Program, Records, and the Communications Bureau. Support Services focuses on and analyzes crime trends, efficient resource allocation and technological solutions. 

Public Works: 78 personnel, 1 new position, $6.4 million cost
This department wants to add a full-time transit supervisor to assist in driver management and review, service scheduling, and operations and program compliance, ensuring we continue meeting the needs of our community for this critical service.

Parks and Recreation: 69 personnel, 1.5 new positions, $4 million cost
Two-thirds of this department’s personnel are employed at the Community Center (23) and the Aquatic Center (22). This department wants to add a full-time parks maintenance worker to accommodate the addition of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve and a part-time park monitor to accommodate new acreage and facilities coming online with the completion of the latest phase of the Naranja Park improvements.

Water Department: 40 personnel, no new positions, $3.9 million cost

Two thirds of the water department staff are deployed in field operations. "The Operations Division oversees the operation and maintenance of all potable and reclaimed water production and distribution facilities, to include wells, boosters, reservoirs, metering stations, water mains, fire hydrants and valves. Additional responsibilities include meter installations, commercial meter testing, water quality testing, backflow prevention, construction of minor water main projects and oversight of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure system, disinfection systems and security systems."

 
All other Departments: 97 personnel, 2.5 new positions, $10.1 million

There are ten other departments. The fastest growing of these is the Information and Technology Department, which seeks a complement of nineteen staff.  "The Recommended Budget includes two new full-time positions in the Innovation & Technology Department. An additional business systems analyst is necessary to support the growing use of technology in Town operations, with special emphasis on the needs of the Police Department. A security and compliance administrator will protect the organization by implementing and managing cybersecurity tools, as well as respond to and remediate cybersecurity incidents and threats. This position will also ensure the Town’s IT systems are compliant with recommended best practices and that action plans are completed for all regulatory agencies."

No cuts anywhere...even in places where position should be eliminated...for example

Somewhat of a surprise is that the Community and Economic Development Department continues its current complement of almost 29 staff. That department ought to be examined as a candidate to reduce staff. This is because there is a long-term continuing decline in permitting activity and of economic activity. 

Bits and Pieces

OVPD  warns of two "Stranger Danger" Incidents
ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (May 31, 2022) - The Oro Valley Police Department has received a report of a suspicious male approaching young children while playing outside. Two 7-year-old boys were riding bicycles ahead of their parents and were approached by a white male walking his dog. The male asked the boys if they wanted to go home with him before being refused and leaving the area. This subject was described as a white male in his 70s, 5’10”, 160lbs, with white hair, walking a medium-sized white and brown, fluffy dog.

 
This marks the second stranger danger occurrence within one week.

 
It is unknown if these events are related or if the males described are the same person. The Oro Valley Police Department is asking the community to stay vigilant and urges residents to immediately call 9-1-1 if they see something suspicious or have further information on the incidents mentioned above. We also ask that you have a conversation with your children about the dangers of talking to strangers and what they can do to keep themselves safe.

 
This community notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed community is a safe community. The OVPD Criminal Investigation Unit is investigating the incidents. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)

National Trails "Concert and Hike" Tomorrow Night at Catalina State Park

The Town of Oro Valley is sponsoring a trail hike at Catalina State Park tomorrow night. "We will be hiking the Canyon Loop trail (2.3 miles, 60-90 minutes). If it has rained your feet could get wet as we cross three streams. Please bring water and a flash light (required). In addition to the hike, Catalina State Park will be hosting a concert starting at 6:00 p.m., so make sure to come early and enjoy the show before the hike! This is a family friendly hike for individuals 8 years and up." Pre-registration is required.

Oro Valley Police Dept. announce new "Join OVPD" recruitment website
ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (May 31, 2022) - The Oro Valley Police Department is excited to announce the launch of the new OVPD Recruitment website that serves as a one-stop resource for those interested in a career in law enforcement with the Oro Valley Police Department.

 
The website streamlines the recruiting and hiring process so those curious about employment with the Oro Valley Police Department can easily get the information they need. Information provided includes job descriptions and requirements, pay and benefits, testimonials of current officers and dispatchers, as well as information about the Oro Valley Community itself.

 
This is a great tool, which the Oro Valley Police Department hopes will attract more interest in the law enforcement profession and make it easier for qualified and dedicated individuals to start their careers. This is a recruitment vehicle that can be used to show the tremendous community support the Oro Valley Police Department enjoys. Combined with the recently adjusted pay plan making our officers the highest compensated in the area, the website will help ensure we are fully staffed and equipped to keep Oro Valley one of the safest places to live in Arizona. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)

Free document shredding tomorrow at Naranja Park

The Town of Oro Valley is offering free document shredding for Oro Valley tomorrow at at Naranja Park from 8 a.m. until noon (or until the trucks are full). Residents can bring up to five medium-sized boxes that will be shredded on-site. Shredding confidential documents helps fight identity theft. 

The "Oasis Park Entertainment Center" Is Essential To The Proposed Oro Valley Village Center

The "Oasis Park Entertainment Center" is essential to the proposed center

The centerpiece of the proposed Oro Valley Village Center is a strip of land between the Walmart and the Century Movie Theatre in the Oro Valley Marketplace. The strip continues past The Keg restaurant and ends at the main roadway to the west of the Olive Garden. [see panel below-right]

Developer seeks zoning change...

The Entertainment Center can only be built on the site if the land is zoned for "recreational open space." The land is zoned as natural open space.  It is a for drainage.  The plan is to install a culvert for water transport to Big Wash. The strip would be filled to do this.

...and an "extended" interpretation of required recreational space regulations

Oro Valley zoning codes require that apartments must have land set aside for recreation.  "As staff notes in the staff report, a typical garden apartment needs about 15 acres for 300 units. Neither the proposed Tangerine site nor the proposed Oracle site satisfies these requirements on their own.  The Tangerine site is 12 acres and the Oracle site 7 acres," according to Town West attorney Keri Silvyn, speaking at last week's Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing. 

The apartment sites, on their own, are not sufficiently large to allow for both the apartment building footprint and the required recreational space.  Thus, Town West, the project developer, is requesting that entertainment district amenities be used to fulfill some of the recreation land requirements. They need to build 730 apartments in order to provide the population density that would make the Oro Valley Village Center financially feasible.

The Entertainment Center is a "Multi-faceted recreation space"

"There’s space to play and enjoy events, Silvyn noted at last week's meeting. "It's a cultural area. There’s a lot of different activities that can take place on there. We worked with the town to design the flexible space on the north. You could do things like the ice-skating rinks. For those of you who’ve been in downtown Tucson, they do that during the holidays. This would also be a purposeful place to put the Christmas tree maybe with the ice rink so that people want to be there. There’s gazebos nearby. There’ll still be some other open space and it’s all connected." 

It is next to the site of one of the hotels

The entertainment center is next to one of the proposed hotels [see panel left]. That hotel is proposed to be three stories. It appears  be built on part of the parking area now used for the Tuk Tuk Thai restaurant. "The central area has the the hotel with some retail space...It’s got playgrounds."

Town West is enthusiastic about what can be done with the area

"...Sandy bars may be associated with the hotel restaurant area. All the fun places for you to come and bring kids and grandkids or nieces and nephews or grab somebody else’s kids (I’m sure the mother would appreciate a break) and bring them out here and have some fun in the southern area.

We worked with the town on a true park area, playing... throwing around a basketball and football. In some of these areas you can do lot of art stuff that we’ve seen a happening in the parking lot at the Oro Valley Marketplace over the years.

This would give a much more purposeful space with restaurants and other things associated with it."

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Planning and Zoning Commission Approves Oro Valley Village Center

Project approval process moves forward

The Oro Valley planning and zoning commission approved (5-1) the conceptual design of the Oro Valley Village Center at its special session public hearing of January 6. Oro Valley Village Center is the new name of the Oro Valley marketplace. Their approval now moves this project to the next level of evaluation. This will be done by the Town Council.

The approval includes not only the design of the conceptual design of the project but the rezoning of this property from commercial use to residential and hotel use. In addition, the commission approved rezoning a draining area for entertainment use.

Town Staff: A regional commercial center is not feasible

Town staff reported at the meeting their conclusion that a regional commercial center is not feasible (see panel). A total overhaul of what was planned for the Oro Valley Marketplace is required. As we reported last week, town staff enthusiastically supports the proposal.

Town West: Reimagining is essential to the future of the site
Speaking at the meeting, Jim Horvath, Town West's Chairman and Founder, said that the ability to attract tenants to the Marketplace depends on the reimagined plans of the Oro Valley Village Center.

“We commit to our projects. We work with the Community towards success. Our centers operate generally at a very high-level of occupancy in the 95 to 98% range. We worked in partnership with Town of Oro Valley to attract Ashley Furniture into the Dick’s Sporting Goods space. We have brought new business like Tuc Tuc Thai, Peach Wave, Lewis + Ivy Salon, Back Benders Chiropractic and H&R Block to the marketplace.”

He continued: “We are working to save the movie theater, Best Buy, and the Red Lobster who have all struggled. We have new tenants coming into the center including Happy Vine and Pima heart, who are in the planning and construction phase. And several other tenants are in the process of negotiating leases or letters of intent.

This renewed activities is directly related and attributed to the reimagined plans for the Oro Valley Village Center.”

Neither Horvath nor his son Toby, Town West President, live in Oro Valley.

The Oro Valley Village Center is an "ecosystem"
The highlight of the reimagining the “Entertainment Center.”  Speaking at last week’s meeting, Kerri Silvyn, of Town West's law firm Lazarus and Silvyn, stated that:

 
“One of the things to understand is that this really is an ecosystem. In order for this to be successful, in order to create the space in the middle- which is the cool space that I’m going to start with because we’re excited about it -we really need the densities on the site. We need the people here that’s going to help create the success of the retail; it’s going to help create the financial wherewithal to be able to bring forward all of the really cool stuff that were we want to bring forward.”

Wednesday: “The Entertainment Center”

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Observations on the Town Staff and the Green Shirt members

Town Staff makes major decisions without Town Council or citizen input
At last Wednesday’s Town Council meeting (September 18th) former Oro Valley council person Mike Zinkin gave a speech during the "Call to Audience" portion of the meeting. Although he was not there to speak about golf, he had to wait an hour for his chance to speak because “The Green Shirts” had packed the room again and they dominated the "Call to Audience."

You can watch Mike’s speech below. It was about the Town Staff’s encroachment over the past ten years into the governance of Oro Valley. According to Mike, this has resulted in the town staff, rather than the elected Town Council, asserting too much control in Town decisions.

Below are just a few of Mike’s observations:

• The El Con purchase had no oversight by the prior council and we’re now experiencing the complications of that lack of oversight.

• The last General Plan, approved by the citizens, had a sentence removed from it by a staff member. As a result of that sentence being removed, the potential for a 5-story building was planned along First Avenue. The General Plan previously stated that not even a 2-story building was allowed to be seen from First Avenue. Staff removed that sentence. The council had no say in it. The people had no say in it.

• Despite the intersection of Moore and La Canada meeting only 2 of 9 criteria for a Signal Warrant Analysis, a roundabout is being installed that costs twice the amount of a traffic light.

• A “house” is being built on Tangerine (west of La Cholla) that contains a 10,000 sq. ft. basketball court with a bedroom stuck in the corner. Staff says that’s residential.

• Staff extended the Troon contract for 6 months without Town Council approval. They extended that contract into a new fiscal year. It was never budgeted, in violation of Town Policy #6.

• Staff has no experience in municipal golf. Their “experts” are Troon -- and Troon has a dog in this fight.

Indeed, Zinkin is correct
The staff is not elected by the citizens. The Town Council is supposed to make the decisions and the Town Staff is supposed to execute the decisions. But for years we have had a situation whereby the Town Staff makes recommendations to the council. This serves only to allow the “lazy” members of council to not have to take the time to “get into the weeds” but rather make their decisions based on whatever the staff recommends.

Adults behaving badly
On a separate note, as you watch the video, look at the behavior of the two women in the “Green Shirts” who are seated directly to the left of the podium. Watch what they do in the first 10 seconds or so after Mike’s name is called. For the record, the woman with the blonde hair is Jennifer LeFevre, founder of the green shirt crowd.

When Mike's name is called, LeFevre makes a face and rolls her eyes. She then said something that was clearly rude because she immediately covered her mouth in embarrassment, obviously worried that the microphone might have picked it up. (Reading her lips, it appears that she said, "Oh sh--").  The woman sitting next to her then whispered something to her, at which point the two of them gave Mike the "once-over" and made another face, seemingly ridiculing something that he was wearing.  (We had a technical difficulty with the video.  It does not show the part with the women whispering and making a face.  You can watch it on the Town website under Meetings and Agendas - Archived Videos - Town Council Regular Session - Sept. 18th Video - 1:04 time stamp on the video).

These are the people of the “Green Shirt” crowd. They have exhibited junior high school behavior at every town meeting we've attended or watched online.

For the record, prior to the council meeting, Mike was officiating a football game between Wilson School and La Cima Middle School. The game finished at 5:50 and he headed straight for the 6:00 PM council meeting to speak at the all to Audience. He did not have time to stop home and change clothes.

Echoing the Mayor and Council appears to reap financial rewards for Town Staff

A recent LOVE posting discussed how the Town Manager and Town Staff “control the message.” The staff works for the Town Manager. The Town Manager works for the council majority. (He/She works for the majority because these four members can vote to fire the Town Manager with or without cause).

Other than being rewarded for their compliance by keeping their jobs, is there also a financial reward for echoing the message of the Majority-4 Council members so that they always get their way? Let’s take a look.

Paul Keesler. Community Development and Public Works Manager.
Community Center Traffic Light. He is the individual who was responsible for justifying the traffic signal in front of the Community Center. When asked to present a "Signal Warrant Analysis" for the justification of the signal, his response was, "we didn't do one." Keep in mind that this analysis is a standard practice for the justification of traffic signals regardless of the cost. (Most traffic signals cost at least $500,000.)

Mr. Keesler advised that there were 500 cars a day utilizing the Community Center and that the hill to the south of the entrance was enough justification to warrant a signal. (There are over 23,000 cars using La Canada daily who now have to stop at this traffic signal). Forget the traffic problems at Moore and La Canada. This signal was more important.

Do you think that the mayor and council majority had a self-interest in establishing this signal?

The reward. As of 3/1/17, Mr. Keesler's annual salary was $127,760.80. As of 3/1/18, Mr. Keesler's annual salary is $132,871.23. This is a 4% raise totaling over $5,000.

Bayer Vella. Planning Department Administrator.
Recommending approval of development proposals. The Planning Department has been known to recommend approval of every development request that is heard before Council. Could this be because the developers and builders who are requesting these land use and rezoning changes have contributed heavily in the past to the campaigns of the mayor and the current six council members? After all, the mayor and council need to reward these major campaign contributors so that they will continue to contribute to their campaigns, including this year’s Town Council election.

The mayor and council want these developments to be approved and it appears that the Planning Department simply echoes their desires and recommends approval.

The 5-story building. As you read last week in LOVE, the 5-story Nakoma Sky Retirement Community was allowed at the intersection of First and Lambert after Mr. Vella arbitrarily removed a restriction from the General Plan that prohibited tall buildings in this area.

The council majority at that time (Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters) were supporting the 5-story building and it appears that the Planning Administrator altered the General Plan to accommodate their wishes.

The reward. As of 3/1/17, Mr. Vella's annual salary was $99,188.34. As of 3/1/18, Mr. Vella's salary is $103,155,94. This was a 4% raise totaling over $3,900 and he has not yet received his 2018 performance evaluation and raise.

Stacey Lemos. Town Finance Director.
Community Center. Despite almost three years of continuing losses at the Golf courses and Overlook Restaurant, Ms. Lemos has done everything possible during her presentations at Town Council meetings to spin the purchase of the Community Center property and the ongoing poor financials in a positive light.

Naranja Park. She did all she could to support the need for a property tax to build ball fields at Naranja Park, but when it failed to win voter approval, she now brags about the Town's pay-as-you-go philosophy. In doing so, it appears that she is trying to save face for the mayor and council.

The reward. As of 3/1/17, Ms. Lemos' annual salary was $149,848.82. As of 3/1/18, Ms. Lemos' salary is $155,842.78. This is a 4% raise totaling almost $6,000.

Guest View: Mike Zinkin ~ Who tops the Oro Valley Organizational Chart?

When one looks at the attached organizational chart for the Town of Oro Valley, the answer is obvious....the RESIDENTS are at the top of the chart. But is this really the case?

The evidence states otherwise

• Town Council ignores results of Parks and Recreation Survey

The residents replied to the Town's statistically valid survey regarding park amenities and advised that golf was the second to last of their desires, but the Council majority voted to purchase 45 holes of golf just 6 months after the survey was released.

• Town Council ignores citizen emails and pleas during council meetings

During the public meetings about the golf course purchase, over 65% of those that attended and voiced their opinion advised AGAINST the purchase. Additionally, over 75% of those that emailed their concerns advised AGAINST the purchase, yet the Council majority disregarded their input and purchased the property.

• Town Council ignores voter-approved General Plan

The Town spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to insure that the new General Plan (Your Voice, Our Future-YVOF) would be comprised entirely of the desires of the residents. Less than two weeks after the residents ratified the new plan, the Council amended it. In fact, less than 13 months after the YVOF was ratified, the Council amended it three more times.

• Town staff ignores a 7-0 council vote and an agreement made between a developer and a citizens group

In May 2015, the Council passed the La Cholla Major General Plan amendment, 7-0, with the stipulation that there be NO direct access to Canada Hills Drive from the new development (as was agreed upon during meetings between the developer and a La Cholla area citizens group), BUT the staff later rewrote the policy giving the authority to decide the final design to the Town Engineer. When this was brought to the Town Manager's attention, no corrective action was taken.

• Town Staff violates Neighborhood Meeting Ordinance

The Neighborhood Meeting Ordinance was written to give consideration to residents living adjacent to a proposed development, to give them a say in protecting their views, their privacy, minimizing traffic, etc.

The Neighborhood Meeting Ordinance states that “a minimum of two (2) neighborhood meetings are REQUIRED” with the following exception: “One (1) meeting may be sufficient if the project is of very limited scope and NO RELEVANT PUBLIC CONCERNS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED, as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.”

At the first Miller Ranch neighborhood meeting, The Lehman Academy and residents living on Sunkist Road both expressed concerns about traffic and access to the residential areas. These concerns have not been addressed, yet the staff has decided that there will not be a second neighborhood meeting. They are now violating the terms of the Neighborhood Meeting Ordinance.

• Town prioritizes Community Center over other needed items

Residents are concerned about the traffic situation at the intersection of Moore Road and La Canada. However, the Town decided instead to prioritize a traffic signal in front of the Community Center without performing a signal warrant analysis. Where is the regard for the concerns of the residents?

Who’s at the top?

Does the top of the chart state "Staff?” Does the top of the chart state "HSL Properties?” Does the top of the chart state "Developer" or "Builder?” Does the top of the chart state "Campaign Contributor?"

NO, the top of the chart states RESIDENTS. Do you feel like you are at the top of the chart?