Bits and Pieces

Burns Sentenced To Probation

"Oro Valley Town Councilman Brendan Burns was sentenced to probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to criminal trespassing. Pima County Superior Court Judge Javier Chon-Lopez sentenced Burns to two years probation in connection with a May 20 incident where the councilman was unlawfully in the home of his estranged wife." (Source)

Oro Valley's Housing Market Continues To Be Depressed

The November and December Oro Valley "Economic Development Commercial Project Status Report" reports nothing new on the economic development front. Meanwhile, Long Realty's Housing Report for November reports a  20% decreases in the number of house closings in the month of November 2014 vs. 2013.

"Months of inventory was 8.9, up from 6.5 in November 2013.  Median price of homes sold was $236,000 a month of November 2, 2014 down  4% from 2013.  The Oro Valley Area had54 properties under contract in November 2014, up 2% from November 2013."    

Federal Government statistics report that the economy is improving.  However, housing sales and housing values in Oro Valley continue to be depressed.
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Oro Valley Council Liaisons Approved

Several weeks ago, the town Council approved the following assignments for councilmembers to be liaisons with town commissions:

• Councilmember Zinkin: Board of Adjustment 
• Vice Mayor Waters to the Conceptual Design Review Board 
• Councilmember Zinkin to the Historic Preservation Commission 
• Councilmember Snider to the Parks &Recreation Advisory Board 
• Councilmember Hornat to the Planning & Zoning Commission 
• Councilmember Garner to the Stormwater Utility Commission 
• Councilmember Hornat to the Water Utility Commission 
• Councilmember Snider to the Amphitheater School District 
• Councilmember Hornat to the Legislative District 
• Vice Mayor Waters to Visit Tucson 
• Mayor Hiremath to the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce 
• Mayor Hiremath to the Pima Association of Governments 
• Mayor Hiremath to the Regional Transportation Authority

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Water Rate Increase Notice Approved

The Oro Valley town Council has approved a notice to increase water rates.    The combination of the proposed increase in commodity rates and the proposed decrease in the GPF will reduce the average residential customer’s bill by $0.03 per month."

The plan is for changes as follows:

• Decrease in the potable and reclaimed Groundwater Preservation Fee (GPF) 
• Increase in the potable and reclaimed commodity rates 
• No increase in the monthly base rates for potable and reclaimed water Increase in the potable and reclaimed construction water rates 
• Increase in meter installation fees to recover costs 
• Increase in residential security deposits for non-property owner accounts 
• Increase in residential security deposits for landlord accounts

(Source)
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