Bits and Pieces

Council rejects two of three new taxes
Wednesday night, the Oro Valley Town Council took action on three proposed new taxes. Council approved a commercial use tax, but voted not to approve the proposed telecommunications tax or the proposed commercial rental tax. LOVE will provide a more detailed summary of the Council discussion and votes in next Tuesday’s article.

Arizona State School for Deaf and Blind to move to Copper Creek facility
It looks like the Copper Creek Elementary School Building, which Amphi is closing at the end of this school year, won’t be vacant for long.  The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) plans to move its Tucson campus into the Copper Creek facility under a proposed multi-year lease with the Amphitheater School District. ASDB officials have said the move would allow the state agency to rightsize Tucson operations moving to the existing school campus rather than maintaining the larger, older facility on Speedway in Tucson. 

"The goal of this move is: (1) long-term sustainability of the agency and the Tucson campus, so that students continue to receive exceptional education opportunities; and (2) decrease operational/overhead costs, in order to have more resources for students and teachers."

According to ASDB, staff and students will move to the facility this summer.  The fall semester will begin at that location. The site will be repurposed for specialized education.  The move provides certainty to the  town and to the residents of Copper Creek that the facility will continue to a well maintained facility. Read more about their decision to move to Oro Valley here.

Town receives land gift... will likely be added to trails system
Also Wednesday, The Oro Valley Town Council approved a gift agreement to accept two parcels of undeveloped desert land adjacent to Honey Bee Canyon Park. Deputy Town Manager Chris Cornelison explained that the donation consists of roughly 33 acres of natural desert, offered at no cost, with property taxes current. The land is zoned as open space under the Rancho Vistoso PAD and includes existing informal trails. The land will be held by the Town for possible future inclusion in broader parks and trails planning efforts. The next step is for staff to complete standard due diligence, including title review and preparation of the deed, with no obligation for the Town to make improvements or incur expenses related to the property. mmCouncil members expressed support, noting that the donation complements Honey Bee Canyon Park. The Council unanimously approved the resolution, with a 6–0 vote.  

Police gain access to statewide investigative data system
Wednesday, the Town Council unanimously approved an agreement allowing the Oro Valley Police Department to participate in a state-supported law enforcement records management and analytics system. Police staff said the system will give OVPD access to data from other law enforcement agencies that do not share the same records platform, improving investigations and officer safety by providing more complete background and contact information. The system will be funded through a one-year state grant administered by the Arizona Department of Administration. In response to council questions, staff said the system meets all criminal justice data privacy standards and that the Town is not required to continue participation if grant funding ends

Council adopts state-mandated zoning code changes
Also Wednesday, the Town Council approved updates to the zoning codes required by recent State of Arizona law changes. We previously reported on these changes. Planning staff explained that the amendments formalize administrative approval for certain non-discretionary development and design review applications, clarify who may appeal administrative decisions and under what conditions, allow earlier submittal of grading and drainage plans, and correct minor code errors. The discussion also addressed a change requiring conditional use permits for building height increases in private school and parks and open space zoning districts, placing final approval authority with the Council. Council members noted that while many of the updates are state-mandated, staff worked to retain local oversight where possible. Changes had been previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Phased stormwater rate increase approved... will support system maintenance
Later in the meeting, the Council approved a phased increase to the stormwater utility base rate, adopting Resolution R26-02. The increase raises the residential base rate by 67 cents per month, from $4.50 to $5.17, effective July 1, 2026. Two additional increases were also approved, another 67 cents effective July 1, 2027, bringing the rate to $5.84, and a final increase effective July 1, 2028, bringing the base rate to $6.50, a total $2 increase over three years. Commercial properties will see proportional increases based on impervious surface area. Staff said the stormwater base rate has not been adjusted since 2016, a point previously reported in LOVE, and that the phased approach was designed to limit impacts on residents while ensuring the utility can fund operations, meet regulatory requirements, and maintain required reserves. The storm utility fee is part of your monthly water bill.

Ballots for RTA Next all-mail election coming soon
An all-mail election is coming up on March 10 for Pima County voters to decide the future of regional transportation funding through the RTA Next plan. Proposition 418 asks voters to approve a new 20-year regional transportation plan covering roadway, transit, and safety projects across the region. Proposition 419 asks voters to continue the existing half-cent sales tax that funds the Regional Transportation Authority, with no increase in the tax rate. Ballots will be mailed automatically to registered voters beginning February 11 and must be received by 7:00 p.m. on March 10. There will be no in-person voting; participation is by mail only.
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Copper Creek Elemenatary To Close

Unanimous Amphi School District Board decision

Last night, the governing board of the Amphitheater School District voted unanimously to close several elementary schools. As previously reported, Copper Creek Elementary is among the schools slated for closure.

Meeting turnout was light... public comment strong

The meeting, held at Canyon del Oro High School, drew a light turnout, with much of the available seating in the fine arts building auditorium empty.  Those who spoke in opposition included parents directly affected by the closures and school employees concerned about the potential impact on their jobs. No speakers addressed the issue from a broader Oro Valley community perspective.

Decision downgrades Oro Valley claim that it's a family friendly community

The closure of a neighborhood elementary school undercuts Oro Valley’s long-standing portrayal of itself as a family-friendly community. While the Town promotes its appeal to families with children, this decision removes an elementary school from a well-established residential area. Although enrollment and operational factors drove the district’s action and families have other school options within Oro Valley, the loss of a neighborhood school changes how the Copper Creek area can be described to prospective residents, making it less clearly a place for young families to grow and settle, even if broader real estate impacts are expected to be limited.

Hard to beat "City Hall without overwhelming force

The meeting underscored the absence of broad, organized community opposition. Without coordinated engagement at scale, there was little to counter the district’s momentum toward closure. For example, those opposed to the decision did not engage the Town of Oro Valley in the discussion. As we previously reported, some residents of the district believed they should be given serious consideration rather than simply being reassigned to other schools.

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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

2026 Election Update... Five so far... Petition signing begins

As of last Friday, five individuals have submitted statements of interest for positions on the Oro Valley Town Council. Former Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier has filed to run for mayor. Chris DeSimone, a local media personality, is seeking a council seat. Former Councilmember Rhonda Pina, who served for four years on council from 2018-2022, has also filed. Current Budget and Finance Commission member Dan Karlsberg and Jacob Herrington. former member of Planning and Zoning Commission, submitted statements of interest as well. The next step in the process is for each to obtain the required number of signatures to appear on the August ballot. We will let you know as we learn of additional candidates. 

Our plan is to interview each person during the petition-signing period to provide clear, fact-based profiles of their backgrounds, priorities, and reasons for seeking office.

Sunday is the Northwest Chanukah Festival at the Oro Valley Marketplace

Join in the celebration of the first night of the eight days of Chanukah this Sunday at the Oro Valley Marketplace. The event begins at 3 p.m. and will include craft booths and activities, music, food for sale, and free latkes (potato pancakes) and donuts. The Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony and “gelt drop” will take place from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. We went to last year's celebration. It was family fun for all.

Update: Copper Creek Elementary closing still in the works... Amphi decision may well backfire on District

On Tuesday, the Amphi School District formally advanced its recommendation to close Copper Creek Elementary at its board meeting. The proposal, presented to the governing board, will take effect in the 2026–27 school year if approved. One change has been made since our earlier report: Half of Copper Creek’s students would attend Wilson K–8, and the other half will go to Harelson Elementary.  Harrelson is not even remotely close to Copper Creek. The governing board is scheduled to make its final decision on January 13.  

Families with children at Copper Creek are devastated. Their efforts have to date been ignored. One parent at the meeting said the closure is likely to push more families to seek alternatives outside of Amphi, worsening the district’s enrollment problems. 

Town's December economic development notes Saddlebrook outreach and more...

The Town of Oro Valley Economic Development Department has released an expanded December 2025 update. The provides a more comprehensive picture of ongoing business activity, community engagement and development efforts than previous reports. For examplee, on notable item is the SaddleBrooke outreach. The town received 909 survey responses from residents that detailed their preferences for dining, retail and medical services, along with how they prefer to receive community information. These findings will guide future business recruitment and communication strategies.

Other highlights from the report include progress on multiple business assistance projects, continued growth in restaurant and retail interest, and updated marketing efforts that promote Oro Valley as a regional hub for outdoor recreation and high quality living. The department also noted rising interest from bioscience and technology companies and increased coordination with regional partners to attract new investment.

The lights are in full bloom

The Landoran holiday lights display is now in full bloom, and it’s well worth a visit. As we reported earlier, the show combines synchronized lights, music, and dramatic displays at the western intersection of Landoran and Golf View Drive. The display runs through New Year’s Day, with extended evening hours on weekends. If you haven’t been yet, this is a great time to take a drive or stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy one of Oro Valley’s most festive traditions.

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Amphi Plans To Bite The Hand That Feeds It

Amphi School District has put Copper Creek Elementary on the "chopping block"

Amphitheater Public Schools is moving toward closing Copper Creek Elementary, one of four elementary schools recommended for consolidation in the 2026–27 school year. The district cites declining enrollment, shifting demographics, and long-standing funding constraints as driving the decision. Copper Creek is the only affected school located in Oro Valley.

Stated reason: Declining enrollment and high operating cost
Copper Creek sits in one of Oro Valley’s most family-friendly neighborhoods, with 955 homes. Enrollment has fallen over the past four to five years and is 299 students. The school hosts a respected special-education program. Parents say the program is excellent, but even that has not influenced the district’s recommendation. District leaders state that Copper Creek is expensive to operate, pointing specifically to its air-conditioning cost.

Students would go to two other Oro Valley Elementary Schools
If the governing board approves the plan in January, Copper Creek students would be reassigned to two other Oro Valley elementary schools: Painted Sky and Harelson. The change would take effect in next year. District transportation routes will be redesigned, and some families may see earlier pickup times, longer travel distances, or consolidated bus stops, as is typical when Arizona districts restructure service. Special-education transportation required by Individual Education Progams (IEPs) would be implemented at the reassigned schools. 

Some residents have launched a petition effort to keep the school open

Some residents have launched a petition entitled “Stop the Closure of Copper Creek Elementary — Protect Our Neighborhood School,” urging Amphitheater Public Schools to reconsider closing Copper Creek. On the petition page, parents write that many moved to the neighborhood “in large part because of Copper Creek Elementary,” calling the school “the heart of our community” and noting that it offers safety and independence for families through walking or biking to school. Click hereto learn more and sign the petition of you wish. 

...while others are concerned about what will happen to the property
Much of the community discussion has focused on what might happen to the Copper Creek campus if the school closes. Some residents worry the property could become neglected or attract inappropriate uses. District management has said the property will be maintained regardless of the final decision. 

Oro Valley is Amphi's "Big Dog"
The proposal has sparked renewed attention to Oro Valley’s outsized role in district funding. According to our estimates, Oro Valley property owners provided an estimated $39.6 million in property-tax revenues in 2024. That is about 47 percent of Amphi’s total, despite Oro Valley having only six of the district’s 21 schools. Oro Valley has one in-town Amphi middle school. It does not serve all middle school students. Some middle school students must travel outside of town boundaries. Under the current plan, Amphi would reduce its elementary presence in Oro Valley even as the town continues to supply nearly half of the district’s tax base.

Yet the Oro Valley Town Council has yet to "weigh in"
The Oro Valley Town Council has not taken a position on the proposed closure. The Council has not discussed potential impacts on families, transportation, or community stability. The Amphi governing board is expected to vote in early January, leaving a limited window for town input before decisions are finalized.

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