It goes against the Town’s founding principleOro Valley was founded in 1974 on the concept that residents would not have property taxes. One of the tenets of Oro Valley has always been that the Town works on a “pay as you go” model. This is how Naranja Park was started and it’s also how the Aquatic Center was built. Since 2010, due to extravagant spending by our Town Council, that concept is now being cast aside.
Proposition 454 is not a decision of being for or against children. Proposition 454 is a question of fiscal responsibility.
Your taxes have already paid for multiple ball fields
Multiple ball fields are already available to provide services to our Citizens. The Amphitheater Public Schools have ball fields that Citizens could use if the Town entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement. Pima County has multiple ball fields for use, all within a reasonable commute. Additionally, funds have been allocated in the FY 17/18 budget to build two lit multi-use fields. With a fiscally responsible government, more funds could be made available.
The Town should maintain the fields we already own
One of the arguments for the bond is that the soccer fields at Riverfront Park are in disrepair. Now ask yourself…Who allowed them to go into disrepair? The Town of Oro Valley did. Instead of repairing them, they want to build new ones. The Town seems to be saying: “Let’s not repair the current fields. Let’s build new ones so we can let them go into disrepair as well.”
Examples of their fiscal irresponsibility
Since 2010, Oro Valley’s population has grown by 4.9%, yet Oro Valley Town staff has grown by 12.4% with every employee receiving a 4% raise for the past 8 years.
Not including vehicles utilized for public safety, the Town owns an additional 153 vehicles.
Since the Town purchased the Community Center and Golf Courses, it has lost over $200,000 in the Town-owned restaurant and over $7 million in the Town-owned golf courses despite increasing your sales tax by 25% ($2 million per year). They now want you to approve a property tax to cover for their poor judgment.
If only they’d listened to the people
You told the Oro Valley government in June 2014 what you desired at Naranja Park. They ignored your wishes and bought a golf course instead. (Remember that of the 34 items listed on the Parks and Recreation Survey, golf came in at #33).
This is not a question of supporting our youth. This is an opportunity to say NO to the poor judgment and continued fiscal irresponsibility that has resulted in a proposal for $28 million in additional taxes. They didn’t listen to you. Why should you reward them for their poor judgment?
The Town’s Misinformation Campaign
This is not a $17 million dollar bond. It is a $28 million dollar bond.
The Town is minimizing what your share of the tax bill will be. They are using a figure of $4.50 per month for a home valued at $250,000. According to the Town website, the MEDIAN price of a home in Oro Valley is $276,600. This means that HALF of the homes are valued at MORE than $276,600.
Send them a message by voting NO on Prop 454. Remember, the money is available to fulfill the desires of the Citizens if it is spent wisely.
