Council Makes Major Suggestions for the Trails Connect Master Plan

Council weighs in on trails master plan
Several weeks ago, LOVE reported that Oro Valley’s OV Trails Connect Master Plan is now 60 percent complete and ready for public and advisory review. That article summarized the plan’s structure, priorities, and the challenges that remain, including the lack of a dedicated funding strategy and questions about long-term maintenance. Staff presented the same 60 percent draft at the November 19 Town Council meeting. That discussion resulted in several significant Council suggestions that could shape the plan’s next version.

Council wants trails to be a major tourism focus
The most significant theme of the Council discussion was the clear link between trails and tourism. Councilmembers emphasized how important outdoor recreation has become for visitor spending, hotel activity, and Oro Valley’s identity. They encouraged staff to elevate trails and multi-use paths as core tourism assets, integrate them into the Explore OV platform, and ensure that maps and information are easily available in hotels, resorts, and bike shops.

Volunteer programs should support short-term priorities
Councilmembers repeatedly stated that volunteer programs should be treated as a short-term action, not a mid-term item. Oro Valley’s volunteer culture is strong, they noted. Council wants to mobilize residents quickly for tasks such as trail maintenance, mapping, outreach, and small-scale improvements. This direction would shift how implementation is phased in the next draft.

A northern Loop extension toward Saddlebrooke and Biosphere 2 is being studied
A surprising element of the discussion was that Pima County and regional partners are exploring a northern extension of The Loop that could eventually reach Saddlebrooke and even Biosphere 2. Councilmembers saw this as a major long-term opportunity and suggested that the Trails Plan acknowledge and plan for regional connectivity.

Rancho Vistoso Boulevard identified as a future multi-use path corridor
Vice Mayor Barrett highlighted Rancho Vistoso Boulevard as a location where residents already walk and cycle in large numbers. She suggested that the Town consider adding a multi-use path along this roadway to improve safety and enhance connections to Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. This was not in the original 60 percent draft but received support during discussion.

Stronger partnerships needed to legitimize and expand trails
Council encouraged staff to work more actively with HOAs, homeowners, trail groups, and local local businesses to secure legal access for certain “informal” trails. Members suggested preparing a stakeholders-only map identifying where approvals are needed and who might help obtain them. This reflects a shift toward more community-driven trail expansion.

Better integration with mapping and navigation apps needed
Councilmembers suggested that the Town use mapping platforms more effectively, including Strava, AllTrails, and Apple mobility data. They encouraged staff to ensure that Oro Valley trail maps appear in the Town’s Explore OV app and in apps that residents and visitors already use. Better visibility, they said, would improve both safety and tourism value.

Recognize regional mountain biking assets
Some Councilmembers suggested adding references to the 50-Year Trail and other nearby mountain biking areas that, while not located in Oro Valley, draw riders who often stay and shop in Town. They viewed these as regional assets that complement the Town’s own network.

Implementation should emphasize low-cost “quick wins”
Several members pointed to small actions that can be completed quickly, such as better printed maps at hotels and bike shops, trail-day events, and clearer wayfinding signs on existing paths. These short-term improvements were seen as a way to build momentum before larger, more expensive projects begin.

90% version is up next… final version next spring
Staff will use Council’s direction to revise the plan, prepare a 90 percent draft, and share it with the public and regional partners early next year. A final version will return to Town Council in the spring of 2026 for possible approval.
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Amphi Plans To Bite The Hand That Feeds It

Amphi School District has put Copper Creek Elementary on the "chopping block"

Amphitheater Public Schools is moving toward closing Copper Creek Elementary, one of four elementary schools recommended for consolidation in the 2026–27 school year. The district cites declining enrollment, shifting demographics, and long-standing funding constraints as driving the decision. Copper Creek is the only affected school located in Oro Valley.

Stated reason: Declining enrollment and high operating cost
Copper Creek sits in one of Oro Valley’s most family-friendly neighborhoods, with 955 homes. Enrollment has fallen over the past four to five years and is 299 students. The school hosts a respected special-education program. Parents say the program is excellent, but even that has not influenced the district’s recommendation. District leaders state that Copper Creek is expensive to operate, pointing specifically to its air-conditioning cost.

Students would go to two other Oro Valley Elementary Schools
If the governing board approves the plan in January, Copper Creek students would be reassigned to two other Oro Valley elementary schools: Painted Sky and Harelson. The change would take effect in next year. District transportation routes will be redesigned, and some families may see earlier pickup times, longer travel distances, or consolidated bus stops, as is typical when Arizona districts restructure service. Special-education transportation required by Individual Education Progams (IEPs) would be implemented at the reassigned schools. 

Some residents have launched a petition effort to keep the school open

Some residents have launched a petition entitled “Stop the Closure of Copper Creek Elementary — Protect Our Neighborhood School,” urging Amphitheater Public Schools to reconsider closing Copper Creek. On the petition page, parents write that many moved to the neighborhood “in large part because of Copper Creek Elementary,” calling the school “the heart of our community” and noting that it offers safety and independence for families through walking or biking to school. Click here to learn more and sign the petition of you wish. 

...while others are concerned about what will happen to the property
Much of the community discussion has focused on what might happen to the Copper Creek campus if the school closes. Some residents worry the property could become neglected or attract inappropriate uses. District management has said the property will be maintained regardless of the final decision. 

Oro Valley is Amphi's "Big Dog"
The proposal has sparked renewed attention to Oro Valley’s outsized role in district funding. According to our estimates, Oro Valley property owners provided an estimated $39.6 million in property-tax revenues in 2024. That is about 47 percent of Amphi’s total, despite Oro Valley having only six of the district’s 21 schools. Oro Valley families also have no in-town Amphi middle school. These students must travel outside of town boundaries. Under the current plan, Amphi would reduce its elementary presence in Oro Valley even as the town continues to supply nearly half of the district’s tax base.

Yet the Oro Valley Town Council has yet to "weigh in"
The Oro Valley Town Council has not taken a position on the proposed closure. The Council has not discussed potential impacts on families, transportation, or community stability. The Amphi governing board is expected to vote in early January, leaving a limited window for town input before decisions are finalized.

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Happy Thanksgiving To All

Bits and Pieces

Free document shredding Saturday 

The Town of Oro Valley will host a free document-shredding event for residents on Saturday, November 22, at the Oro Valley Marketplace. Shredding runs from 8 a.m. to noon, or until the trucks fill up, with all materials destroyed onsite. The Town encourages residents to use the service as a simple way to reduce the risk of identity theft. Questions can be directed to Constituent Services Coordinator Jessica Hynd at 520-229-4711. (Town of Oro Valley Media Release) 

Ambitious thinking? A 5.8% annual nominal growth rate needed to support the RTA NEXT's 20-Year revenue goal

To meet the revenue levels projected in the RTA NEXT plan, the region’s taxable sales would need to grow about 5.8 percent each year for the next 20 years. RTA NEXT described this assumption as conservative, combining normal economic growth with inflation. Based on the current distribution of taxable transactions, Tucson would supply the largest share of those dollars at 45 percent, followed by Marana at 15 percent, Sahuarita at 9 percent, and Oro Valley at about 8 percent. The remaining 23 percent would come from the rest of Pima County.  This growth rate includes both inflation and real sales growth. [Source: LOVE Research]

Oro Valley bed tax revenues reached peak levels in 2025

Oro Valley’s bed tax revenues are now at their strongest level in eight years. The bed tax is a 6 percent tax applied to the cost of any room stay under 30 consecutive days, including hotel rooms and short-term rentals. Collections rose from $1.47 million in FY 2018 to $2.52 million in FY 2025, an increase of more than $1 million, despite the pandemic drop to $1.03 million in FY 2020. Town staff believes this growth reflects the rebound in travel. Other contributing factors include higher room rates, the 2021 annexation of Westward Look, and the introduction of registering and taxing short-term rentals. These factors expanded the Town’s lodging tax base. Early FY 2026 results show the upward trend continuing. (Source: Oro Valley Tourism Advisory Commission Meeting, 11-17-25)

RTA says: Good roads bring visitor

At Monday’s meeting, the Town’s Tourism Commission heard from RTA representative Steve Huffman, who emphasized that transportation infrastructure plays a direct role in attracting visitors. He noted that good road access is often a traveler’s first impression of Oro Valley, and highlighted how completed and proposed overpasses improve regional travel for visitors arriving from airports or nearby communities.  He added that RTA investments in bike paths, multi-modal access, transit service, and wildlife linkages also enhance mobility and the overall visitor experience.

You want to be in pictures?

Oro Valley resident Mark Headley, an actor and producer, believes the town should explore becoming a film-friendly community. He has introduced the idea to both the Town Council and the Tourism Commission, noting that smaller film productions are seeking new, affordable, and cooperative locations. Headley says Oro Valley offers strong assets, including striking desert scenery, open space, historic buildings at Steam Pump Ranch, vacant commercial sites that could serve as temporary studios, and more than a thousand hotel rooms. He adds that film crews often leave a significant share of their budgets in the communities where they work. The challenges, he notes, include Arizona’s lack of major film-industry tax incentives and the absence of local film infrastructure. Certainly, more work is needed to determine whether the concept is a feasible way to increase town revenues.

Highlights from last night's town manager's report to Council

Town Manager Jeff Wilkins briefed the Council on several upcoming community activities and transportation updates, including an RTA Next open house scheduled for December 10, where residents can learn about Propositions 418 and 419 ahead of the March 2026 vote. He noted that the popular holiday ornament hunt begins November 28, featuring wooden ornaments crafted by CDO High School students. Wilkins also reminded residents of the ongoing construction at the Oro Valley Marketplace, assuring the public that full access will remain open through the holidays. Additional updates included progress on the Naranja Multi-Use Path, Movies on the Lawn starting December 6, the Pickalicious Jingle Jam pickleball tournament December 12–14, the Festival of the Arts and tree lighting on December 6–7, Snow OV on December 18, and the upcoming Hot Cocoa Run on January 1.

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Oro Valley Water To Propose Small Water Rate Increase for 2026–27

Modest water rate adjustment recommended for next year
The Oro Valley Water Utility is considering only a small change to water costs for rates effecting next July. Water Director Peter Abraham and Water Utility Administrator Mary Rallis presented the annual water-rate analysis to the Water Utility Commission on November 10, emphasizing that the utility can meet its financial obligations with a modest increase to the monthly base rate only. There are no proposed increases to the per-gallon commodity rates that residents pay.

Base rate only increase keeps costs stable
Under the proposal, the typical residential customer with a 5/8-inch meter would see an increase of $1.86 per month. This adjustment affects only the fixed base charge, leaving all potable and reclaimed commodity tiers unchanged. About 84% of Oro Valley customers fall into this meter category. The groundwater preservation fee also remains unchanged at $1.00 per 1,000 gallons.

Drivers of the recommendation
Abraham and Rallis explained that rising CAP delivery costs and continued 5.5% annual increases in Tucson Water wheeling charges require the utility to secure stable revenue. A base-rate adjustment ensures that essential operating and capital expenses are reliably covered, even if water use fluctuates due to wetter weather or conservation shifts. The utility continues to see customers moving into lower-use tiers, a positive trend but one that reduces variable revenue.

Financial position remains strong
The five-year financial model presented to the Commission shows the Water Utility maintaining required reserves, meeting all debt-service coverage requirements, and keeping the system on a pay-as-you-go footing for existing system improvements. The utility anticipates a small, planned use of cash this year and next, followed by rising balances as older debt rolls off beginning in FY 27-28. Importantly, the debt associated with the Northwest Recharge, Recovery and Delivery System project (NWRRDS) is fully funded through impact fees and groundwater preservation fees, not water rates. 

Good news for residents
For residents, the message is positive. The cost of water use is not increasing, the overall financial health of the utility remains solid, and the proposed base-rate adjustment is the smallest step needed to maintain system reliability. The utility does not expect to seek changes to reclaimed-water rates or commodity charges next year. Director Abraham is expected to forward a recommendation to the Town Council early in 2026.

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One Reason for Oro Valley’s “Higher Cost of Doing Business” Reputation: High Pima County Property Valuations

Oro Valley's perceived higher cost of doing business
In the October study session on new taxes, Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett asked why Oro Valley is perceived as a more expensive place to do business than neighboring communities, especially since the proposed taxes would only align the Town with what nearby municipalities already charge.

Is caused by several factor
Finance Director David Gephart said several factors, not higher tax rates, drive the perception. He said that Oro Valley’s property values are higher than surrounding areas. So, given the same Pima County tax rate, Oro Valley Property tax bills are larger in dollar terms. In addition, he noted, commercial rents and construction costs also tend to be higher, reflecting limited available land and strong demand for quality space.

One of which is the reality of higher property value tax assessments
We checked the one factor we could independently verify: Net assessed property values. That is the taxable value of property after applying the assessment ratio and any applicable exemptions. It is the portion of a property’s market (or “full cash”) value that is taxed. 

We found that Gephart is right

In 2025, Oro Valley’s commercial parcels (tax class 01) have the highest average value per parcel in Pima County, with Marana a close second. [see panel right] 

The same pattern holds for residential parcels (tax class 03). The average 2025 assessed value of the Town’s roughly15,921 residential parcels is also the highest among jurisdictions in the county. [See panel below, left]. The same is also true of Oro Valley's commercial residential properties (tax class 04).  

In other words, Oro Valley real estate is simply valued by the county as being the most expensive in the county, regardless of what is the land use.

State rules guide the valuation methodology while local demand drives Oro Valley’s higher values
Property values in Pima County are determined under state-mandated methods that the County Assessor applies locally. The Assessor uses recent sales, property characteristics, and market data, following valuation procedures set by the Arizona Department of Revenue, to estimate fair cash value. In Oro Valley, strong demand driven by location, amenities, schools, and neighborhood desirability often results in higher market and assessed values than in most other parts of the county.

Bottom line for Oro Valley taxpayers: We pay more
Because assessments are higher, Oro Valley property owners pay more in county property taxes even though the tax rate is the same. In short, the community’s desirability shows up in higher valuations, which helps explain the “higher cost” of doing business perception.

When the the taxes paid on all three main property types (residential property, commercial residential, and commercial) are aggregated. Oro Valley owners pay to the county $2,149 per parcel for each of the 21,972  parcels assessed. The total dollars paid ($47.2 million) equals $961 for each of the 49,156 residents. These amounts are far above thc cost per resident of the other jurisdictions. 

It is indeed ironic that we have built a lovely, desirable community, one that now results in greatest county property taxes each year.
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Note: The source of assessment information is the State and County 2025 Abstract of the Assessment Roll, pages 171-173. The document was prepared by the Arizona Department of Revenue.

Bits and Pieces

Town issues RTA Next voter information

The Town released a voter-information notice encouraging residents to learn about RTA Next ahead of the March 10, 2026 election. The update outlines the two propositions voters will consider, highlights key project corridors affecting Oro Valley, and provides dates for ballot mailings and a December 10 community Q&A session. The information is consistent with the details reported in our LOVE article Wednesday, and readers who want a deeper understanding of what the RTA’s presentation revealed—including project specifics and clarifications not covered in the Town’s summary—can read the full analysis on LOVE.

Work starts next week on building the Naranja Drive multi-use path

Work on the Naranja Drive Multi-Use Path begins Monday, November 17. Crews will be building a 1.75-mile, 10-foot-wide paved path on the north side of Naranja Drive between La Cañada and First Avenue. The project, managed by ADOT and constructed by Granite Construction, will run through summer 2026 and is designed to improve safety and neighborhood connectivity. Drivers should expect shoulder activity, slow down in the work zone, and follow posted signs. The Town notes that no lane closures are anticipated. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release) 

Town seeking volunteers for key boards and commissions

The Town is recruiting residents to fill several current and upcoming vacancies across eight boards and commissions, and applications will remain open until each position is filled. These volunteer groups play an active role in reviewing development proposals, shaping long-term planning, advising on parks, water policy, finances, and broader community priorities. Residents who want to participate directly in town decision-making can apply through the Town’s website, where details for each board and commission are posted. (Source: Oro ValleyVista) 

Marketplace redevelopment officially underway

The Town reports that construction continues on Phase 1 of the long-planned Oro Valley Marketplace redevelopment, approved in 2023. This first phase includes 320 new apartments, a public park, and pedestrian improvements designed to create a more active, mixed-use environment. HSL Properties and Borderlands Construction are leading the work. Shoppers can expect lane restrictions and detours on Water Harvest Way through 2027, but all Marketplace stores will remain open during construction. (Source: Oro ValleyVista) 

Wednesday's TEP outage disrupted traffic along Oracle Road

A Tucson Electric Power outage Wednesday afternoon affected several areas of Oro Valley, the County, and the City of Tucson. In Oro Valley, power  along and near Oracle Road, was cut off beginning at 2:06 p.m. and returned 4 p.m. The loss of power caused traffic signal malfunctions at major intersections in Oro Valley, prompting the Police Department to remind drivers to treat dark or flashing signals as four-way stops. A TEP update later in the day confirmed restoration efforts and advised customers still without service to check their outside breakers. TEP listed the cause as an “Emergency/Safety Issue,” meaning power was intentionally cut so crews could address a hazardous condition. This type of shutdown explains why multiple outage areas across the region lost and regained service at the same time.

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