Bits and Pieces

Amphi Board to discuss decide on closing Copper Creek Elementary next week 

The Amphitheater Unified School District is moving toward a decision on whether to close Copper Creek Elementary School and three other campuses as part of a consolidation plan driven by declining enrollment and financial pressures. Superintendent Todd Jaeger has recommended that Copper Creek be consolidated with Wilson K-8 and Harelson Elementary, while Donaldson, Nash, and Holaway Schools would also be merged into nearby campuses. Parents and staff have raised concerns about transparency and the impact on community schools, and a petition opposing the closures at Copper Creek has gathered significant support. The Amphi Governing Board is scheduled to vote on the superintendent’s closure recommendations at its January 13 meeting, after a legally required public review period. The meeting will be held aat 6pm at the Leadership and Professional Development Center, 701 W. Wetmore Road, Tucson, Arizona. This is the standard location for board meetings unless otherwise noted. The agenda and any updates on time or location will be posted on the district’s website at least 24 business hours before the meeting. 

Abraham: Colorado River states remain deadlocked over future water cuts

This Monday, Oro Valley Water Utility Director Peter Abraham will brief the Water Utility Commission on stalled negotiations among the seven Colorado River Basin states over how to share future water use reductions once current operating guidelines expire at the end of 2026. According to Abraham’s report, the states failed to meet a November 2025 deadline to submit a preliminary agreement, and a deep divide remains between the Upper Basin states, which oppose mandatory cuts, and the Lower Basin states, including Arizona, which are calling for shared reductions during dry years. Arizona officials have asked for stronger federal involvement, warning that without agreement by a February 14, 2026 deadline, the U.S. Department of the Interior is likely to intervene and impose new rules. Reservoir levels remain low [Panel right], reinforcing pressure on the states to resolve the impasse. 

Oro Valley residents are invited to weigh in on the town's Trails Plan

Oro Valley residents are invited to review and comment on the OV Trails Connect 90% Master Plan Draft during an online Trails Stakeholder Group meeting on January 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Town staff will walk through the draft plan and gather community feedback as the project moves toward completion. The meeting will be held via Zoom. Residents are encouraged to review the draft plan and maps in advance at OVTrailsConnect.com, where comments can also be submitted directly if attending the meeting is not possible.

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Bits and Pieces

Colorado River Reservoirs Still Strained

As of August 10, the seven major reservoirs in the Colorado River system are only 39% full, holding 22.5 million acre-feet of water. That’s slightly less than a year ago, when they were at 41%. The two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, remain at just 31% of capacity each. Since the Colorado River is Oro Valley’s primary source of water, these persistently low levels highlight the continuing challenges of long-term water supply. (Source)

Community Academy returns this fall

The Town of Oro Valley’s Community Academy begins October 2 and runs through November 5. This year’s program offers nine classes, including new sessions on water and tourism. The Academy gives residents an inside look at how the Town operates, and many graduates later go on to serve on boards and commissions. Registration is available here.

Community Center Fund: Financial results for year even stronger than anticipated

In our September 3 report, we noted that town staff projected that the Community Center Fund was on track to add about $750,000 to reserves, ending fiscal 2025 with a $2.6 million balance. Final year-end results came in even better. Revenues reached $12.1 million, or 113% of budget, while expenses were 2% over plan. The fund added $1.1 million to reserves and closed the year with a $2.9 million balance. (Source: Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 9, 2020)

Oro Valley Welcomes New Economic Development Manager

Sarah Denman has been introduced as the Town’s new Economic Development Program Manager, following Margie’s retirement. In her role, Denman will oversee the Town’s Business Retention and Expansion Program, co-manage the Shop Oro Valley campaign with the Chamber of Commerce, and assist businesses with site analysis, permitting, and resources. She brings experience from working with the City of Tucson, Pima County, Sahuarita, and AmeriCorps. Denman, who moved to Southern Arizona in 2020, holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arizona and looks forward to supporting Oro Valley’s business community. (Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Jankowski Named Outstanding Professional of the Year

Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Jankowski has been honored as the 2025 Outstanding Professional of the Year by the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. The award recognizes his leadership and innovation since joining Oro Valley in 2018, where he has overseen major growth at the Community Center and Aquatic Center, secured nearly $1 million in upgrades, and helped bring a $1 million grant to develop a skate and bike park at Naranja Park. Jankowski also serves as Vice President of APRA and was recently appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs to the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission. (Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Council Approves Broadband Partnership

Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Pima County to join the Regional Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Project. The initiative will build a countywide fiber optic ring that enhances public safety communications, supports next-generation 911 services, and opens the door for expanded broadband access. Oro Valley will contribute $200,000 in FY 26–27 and provide in-kind support such as permitting and inspections. In return, the Town gains access to more reliable fiber infrastructure, improved digital equity, and long-term opportunities to attract businesses and expand internet service. (Source: The Oro Valley Town Council meeting of 9-03-25)

RTA Next Plan of $3Billion Vote scheduled for March

The Pima County Board of Supervisors has unanimously referred the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Next plan to the March 2026 ballot. The plan is the result of years of meetings and negotiations among community and business leaders, including contributions from Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield, who served as chair of the RTA Board, and Town Manager Jeff Wilkins, who provided technical input. Supporters describe the measure as a balanced plan that will benefit Oro Valley as well as the broader Pima County community. More information about the projects included in the plan is available at the RTA Next.

Bits and Pieces

Kneaders says "Thanks for your support"

The parent company and operator of the Kneaders Restaurant located in the El Corredor Center on Oracle Road has permanently closed this location. According to the owner, the store did not meet its operating objective. We will miss it since we conducted the majority of our interviews there.

This, from Kneaders management: "We thank our loyal guests for their continued support and apologize for the inconvenience of our recent store closing in Oro Valley. We are dedicated to success in every market and this particular site did not meet the anticipated expectation in the region. We remain committed to offering the best service possible to our guests. While we know our next closest location is a ways away, we would love to see our faithful guests visit our other Arizona locations when they are in the area." (Source: Kneaders email to LOVE)

Classical Music Sunday at Riverfront Park

"The Town of Oro Valley and the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance have partnered to bring classical music to residents since 1997. The Oro Valley Riverfront Park Classical Concert Series supports some of the finest classically trained musicians with the opportunity to perform monthly in the community’s largest outdoor amphitheater.” The next concert is Sunday from 4-5:30 pm at Riverfront Park. Bring chairs and blankets. There will be a food truck. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Economic Development March Report)

Colorado River reservoirs at 34% capacity

The Arizona Department of Water Resources has posted a dashboard of information regarding Colorado Water. We have added a link in the right panel for it. Another source of future river water status is the amount of snowfall in Grand Lake Colorado. (See our report on this).  Good news: "22/23 snowfall [in Grand Lake] is 11% higher than the historical average this far into the winter." That should improve the rather bleak current situation [panel right].

Oro Valley housing growth continues to slow… should impact construction sales tax revenues

The town issued one permit for a single-family residence (SFR) in February. This continues a the three year downward trend in SFR permits issued that we noted in February. The most recent decrease in SFR permitting activity is not unique to Oro Valley. Oro Valley’s permit issuance results mirror the slowdown in new home growth nationally. Economic “experts” tell us that the slowdown is the result of increased mortgage interest rates. The baseline interest rate is being increased by the Federal Reserve in an attempt to combat rising inflation (caused by increased government spending).  An increase in this base rate increases all interest rates. Experts expect the Federal Reserve to increase the base rate quarterly for at least another year, thus further increasing mortgage lending rates; which, in turn, will depress new home buying. That will result in a decrease in an important piece of Oro Valley’s continuing income, construction sales tax revenues.

Property Taxes: Pima County Sends out "Notice of Value" with massive FCV increased.. but property tax base up much less

If you a home in Oro Valley, you should have received a "Notice of Value" from Pima County. The notice gives you the county's determination of your property value for 2024. The full cash home value (FCV) for one neighborhood increased 27%. It increased 20% last year. We suspect that it's the same throughout the county. For many years prior to that, the FCV had increased from 2 to 3%.  The good news is that property taxes are based on the limited cash value (LCV) which is also shown on the notice. By law, the LCV can not increase by more than 5% per year.  Want to see the FCV and LCV for others in your neighborhood? Visit this link.

 

La Cañada Drive asphalt replacement project begins March 13, drivers should expect delays 

"Construction on La Cañada Drive between Tangerine and Moore Roads will begin March 13, with contractor Sunland Asphalt removing and replacing the existing top two inches of asphalt. Road restrictions will be in place on La Cañada Drive with speed reduced to 25 mph. Drivers should expect delays. Please see details below. The majority of the work and delays will be through March 17 to align with Leman Academy’s spring break, so as to lessen construction impact on motorists. After March 17, ancillary work will continue until April 17 with minimal disruption to traffic." (Source: Oro Valley Media Release)

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CAP Water Makes Oro Valley Water Sustainable... For Now

Is Oro Valley immune from the drought?

Many of us who live in Oro Valley take our drinking for granted. We turn on the tap. Water comes out. We know that the Western US is in the midst of a 20 year drought; but we’ve been told by the Town of Oro Valley that we have noting to worry about. Oro Valley has a sufficient supply of water for the next 100 years. 

One would think that Oro Valley residents are immune from the drought. But are we?

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We see evidence of the drought around us

The result of the 20-year drought is around us. Prickly pear plants are withering. Desert flowering this spring is far less than we’ve seen in past years. Trees are late to bloom. Our desert plants are in trouble and there is nothing we can do.

Oro Valley’s drinking water supply is sustainable because of CAP

How Oro Valley gets its water and where we get it from matters. We’re not Seattle. We’re not Portland. We’re not Boston. We, unlike them, live in the desert. Even in a good rain year, Oro Valley gets no more than a foot of rain in total. In a bad year, like the one’s we are experiencing we get far less.

Our water supply is not naturally replenished by rain. If the town draws more water from the ground than gets back into the ground the the total supply decreases. 

Fortunately, Oro Valley also gets water from the Colorado River Project (CAP). It is Oro Valley’s only other source of potable water. CAP was 33% of the total drinking water produced in 2020.

Oro Valley uses the water it gets from CAP to both replenish its ground water and to provide for current consumption.  CAP has made the town’s drinking water supply sustainable.

Central Arizona Project (CAP) is a 336-mile long aqueduct system which distributes Arizona's Colorado River water allocation for the purpose of conserving groundwater. When you read articles that discuss the reduction in CAP water, this is the source to which they are referring. 

Town anticipates no curtailment of CAP water supply even in 20 year drought

There’s less and less water coming into the Colorado River Basin. Indeed, the Federal Bureau of Reclamation, the group that manages CAP has started to restrict the amount of water States are allowed to draw. There is now a “Tier 0” shortage. The town anticipates that further restrictions will happen in 2022. Still, the town anticipates that this will not impact our water supply. Indeed, there is a fallback of previous water stored by the State that can be used. 

According to the town, the actions thay have taken “...combined with a diverse water resource portfolio reduces the chances of a water resource shortage in the event of CAP water delivery curtailments.”. Reducing risk is good. But the town has not eliminated the risk.

Town assumes residents will continue to conserve water... but will the town do likewise?

The town’s water plans assume that residents will “...reduce demands through an increased focus on the efficient use of water resources ... to preserve water supplies for future uses.”  The town does not “walk this talk.” As we have reported, they are reopening the Pusch Ridge Golf Course. That course will use enough drinking water to supply 400 single family homes for year. Add to this the potential approval of many apartments along Oracle Road. Apartments bring greater density to the area and with it, greater consumption of water.

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Source: 2021 Oro Valley Water Utility Report