Election 2026 Update: Forum, Ballots, and Campaign Developments

Chamber Forum Set for Tonight
Tonight, the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum at the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene, located at 500 W. Calle Concordia. The event begins with a meet and greet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by the forum. From 6:00 to approximately 7:00 p.m., council candidates will deliver opening statements, respond to questions, and provide closing remarks under a structured format. From approximately 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., mayoral candidates Barrett and Napier will follow with their forum,

Candidates Napier, DeSimone and Pina using same media company
All candidates have now filed their first quarter campaign finance reports with the Town, detailing both contributions and expenditures. A review of those reports shows that candidates Napier, DeSimone, and Pina are using the same media company, Live the Dream Media, for campaign services. DeSimone’s podcast is with that company, and he serves as its Vice President of Business Development. A review of the campaign websites of the three candidates shows each emphasizes public safety, fiscal responsibility, and maintaining core services.

The candidates tell us there is no collaboration. According to mayoral candidate Mark Napier: “I am not running as a slate with anyone. I am using Live the Dream Media because they have a good reputation in the community and I need their help with social media support. Some candidates may have similar views on issues facing the community. This is not unusual and does not reflect collaboration.”

Chair of Planning and Zoning Commission is paid consultant for DiSimone campaign
We also noted in our review of the finance reports that current Planning and Zoning Commission chair, Anna Clark, is working as a paid consultant to the DeSimone campaign, receiving about $3,500 thru March 31, according to DiSimone's campaign finance report. Clark's position as Chair expires at the end of this year.

Site posts altered images and insulting campaign messaging to demean candidates Barrett, Dailey and Wood
A facebook page that has been active since last year continues to publish content targeting certain Oro Valley candidates and current leadership. The material goes beyond criticism, using insulting suggestion's and imagery to attack individuals. Screenshots provided to LOVE show posts attributed to James Prunty that portrays candidates Barrett, Dailey and Wood in a negative light. In several instances, the content uses images of candidates taken from there websites, alters or distorts them, and overlays disparaging messages, contributing to an overall tone that is attack-oriented and never issue-focused. 

Independent voters: Make sure you get a ballot
The Pima County Recorder’s Office mailed a notice to independent voters regarding how to receive a ballot for the primary election. Normally, these voters would not receive a ballot unless they had designated a party affiliation. The notice includes a return envelope. On the form, voters must select which ballot they want (a town-only ballot is available) and indicate where the ballot should be sent if they will not be at their registered address. Ballots cannot be forwarded. The county will mail the ballot on June 24. The election date is July 21.

Guest View-James Prunty: Oro Valley Faces An Impending Wake Up Call

Community apathy toward local government runs high in Oro Valley
The overwhelming majority of the town's residents show little interest in local politics, the town council, or the town staff. 

Their engagement with these aspects of community governance is minimal, largely because they perceive no immediate impact on their daily lives. 

For most residents, the critical indicators of a well-functioning town are the effectiveness of the police force, the absence of graffiti and other signs of vandalism, well-maintained roads, and safe schools. As long as these basic needs and services are met, they see little reason to invest time or energy into understanding or participating in local political processes. This apathy toward local governance is surprising, as the majority of residents prioritize tangible, day-to-day concerns over the intricacies of political engagement.

An impending wake-up call on the town's financial future 

There is a wake-up call on the horizon. The assertion that "the government has no money of its own" underscores the reality that governmental funds primarily originate from taxation, borrowing, or other revenue-raising mechanisms imposed on individuals, businesses, or organizations within a society. Consequently, the government functions as a redistributive entity, collecting resources from one segment of the population and allocating them to support various programs, services, or initiatives that serve broader societal needs or governmental objectives.

Not enough future revenue to cover ever increasing costs?
At a recent council meeting, the town’s Chief Financial Officer announced that key revenue generators are projected to fall short of the income levels they have achieved in the past few years. This revelation has raised concerns about the town's financial stability and sustainability. The CFO highlighted that declining revenue from various sales taxes and state-shared revenue will create a budgetary gap that needs to be addressed.

Causes staff to look for more revenue sources... hold on to your wallet
The announcement has sparked a discussion among council members about how the town will compensate for these financial shortcomings. Potential measures to bridge this gap include cutting non-essential services or finding new revenue streams. The town will need to explore various strategies to ensure it can continue to provide essential services and maintain infrastructure without compromising on quality or safety.

Important to get in front of the problem now
This financial challenge underscores the importance of proactive fiscal planning and the need for innovative solutions to adapt to changing economic conditions. The town council is now faced with the task of developing a comprehensive plan to address these revenue shortfalls, ensuring the town’s financial health and stability in the coming years. The town has decided to look at neighboring Marana for ideas on potential revenue generators to compensate for its own financial shortfalls. Marana's financial structure includes revenue from communication taxes, a source of income that Oro Valley currently does not utilize.

Crucial decisions ahead
The potential introduction of new taxes would not only test the council's political integrity but also highlight the challenges of governance, where practical financial needs often clash with ideological commitments. The decisions made in the coming months will be crucial in determining both the town's financial future and the political careers of its current council members.

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