Fiscal Responsibility, Municipal Golf and Quality of Life Are "Top Of Mind" To LOVE Readers

What you want town council to accomplish

Fiscal responsibility, golf spending rationalization and quality of life in Oro Valley are top of mind issues for LOVE readers.  This conclusion is based on an online survey we conducted the week of October 5. We asked: "What is the one thing you want to see the new town council accomplish?"

Top Challenge: Be Fiscally Responsible

Respondents want the town to be strong financially. This is driven by the uncertain near and long term impact of Covid-19 related business and social restrictions.  

Oro Valley is an "older community." As one resident put it:  "Hold the line on spending. Many retired citizens in Oro Valley are on fixed income." Another noted that they want the town "to be able to handle unknown drains on the Town's funds from unexpected issues (like impact of Covid-19), and to be able to assist and encourage small businesses to start up successfully here in Oro Valley."

Source: Week of October 5 LOVE Survey

Others voiced similar concerns.

• "Balance the budget and make the tough decisions that gets us there without playing games with the financials."
• "More transparency is needed. Spending must be monitored more closely. Constituents should have the final voice as to what goes on."

There was also a concern voiced that Oro Valley's spending is inflated after years of continual spending increases since 2010. "Too much fat in budgets result in taxes higher than needed." 

Number Two: Rationalize spending on Municipal Golf 

The town's subsidizing the operation of two golf courses through a sales tax is still not a settled issue among some. They say that Oro Valley municipal golf benefits few at the expense of many. Apparently, the town's plan to reduce golf subsidy to no more than $750,000 by 2022 does not satisfy them; or perhaps they are not aware of the plan approved by council in January.

• "Eliminate all expenses associated associated with the golf courses and community center, and stop the associated sales tax support."
• "The expense and the paltry number of community members it actually serves. Open park space behind the homes along the course will not negatively impact property values, lots with open space behind them sell first and for a significant premium over lots that abut other lots. It's not like the course is being replaced with apartments and strip malls."

Number Three: Improve The "Quality of Life"

Some want the town to improve the town's park system. Doing such "Bolsters property values, provides recreational opportunity, promotes sense of community, attracts families" According to some, it would also help the town "Regain the reputation of one of the best places to live in the U.S."

One way to do this is to "Preserve the Vistoso golf course as a green space because it will define our town's vision of a great place to live."

Another resident noted that Oro Valley's focus on cluster zoning and small home lots is actually driving potential residents away."Stop permitting those developments with the houses sitting almost on top of each other with NO back yards! Families with kids need room for them to play. Maybe do some gardening."

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Note: The results of our survey are by no means statistically representative of the thoughts of the entire community. They do provide some insight into what LOVE readers would like to see happen.