Oro Valley Community Academy Is A Worthwhile Experience

You may want to consider attending the Oro Valley Community Academy. We did. It was a worthwhile learning and networking experience.  The academy is run by the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Division.  The sessions were led by Oro Valley Senior Planner Matt Michels.

We thought I knew a lot about our town. Now, we know even more!

Did you know that:

• The Oro Valley Magistrate Courts processes more than 10,000 cases a year, most of which are traffic violations
• The Oro Valley budget serves 4 purposes: It is a policy document, an operations guide, a financial plan and a communications tool
• Former Council Member Barry Gillaspie helped bring Basis School to Oro Valley
• Council Member Bill Garner has been an advocate for "Signature Events"
• College teams train in the Oro Valley Aquatic Facility
• Oro Valley has three distinct histories.
• Oro Valley has a 2-year strategic plan whose development coincides with the election cycle.

Those are just some of the things we learned after completing the six week, 2-hour per session, course.

Topics covered included Oro Valley's history, how the town works, Oro Valley's role in the region, the General Plan, Oro Valley Water, Oro Valley roads and transportation, conservation, town finances, economic development, the Oro Valley strategic plan, and the 2015 General Plan process.

Speakers included Town Manager Caton, Finance Director Lemos, and a number of our department heads and employees.

Our "takeaway" is that Oro Valley employs a number of competent, concerned employees who enjoy and welcome your participation.

Though completion of the course in required if you wish to sit on a board or commission, it is worthwhile even if you don't.

Contact Matt Michels (520) 229-4822 to learn more about the program and the next academy.
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