Bits and Pieces

Town overstates the case when it comes to Golf and the Community Center

The Town of Oro Valley recently issued a press release celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its acquisition of the El Conquistador Country Club—now the Community and Recreation Center. While the release praises growth in memberships, expanded amenities, and the development of golf and recreation programming, not all residents share in the enthusiasm. From the start, the purchase sparked division. Critics questioned the cost, especially the use of a half-percent sales tax to support what some view as a facility serving a limited segment of residents.

Over the past decade, the Center has required millions in improvements—from parking expansions to bridge replacements, irrigation system upgrades, and the recent installation of an elevator. And while golf rounds are reportedly up, and operations have reached a break-even point, capital expenses still rely on public subsidy. The facility disproportionately benefits residents living nearby and active users of golf, tennis, and fitness programming, leaving others to wonder if the investment truly reflects town-wide priorities. Celebrating 10 years is fair. But calling it one of the “Town’s most beloved amenities” may be overstating the case—especially for those who continue to question its cost, limited accessibility, and opportunity cost.

Animal control agreement with Pima County extended another year

Last night, the Oro Valley Town Council approved a one-year extension of its intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Pima County for animal control services. The current agreement expires June 30, 2025, and the extension would carry it through June 30, 2026. Under the IGA, Pima County enforces Oro Valley’s Animal Control Code, covering issues such as rabies control, licensing, leash laws, and sheltering of stray animals. Since FY 2022, the agreement has been funded primarily through licensing fees collected in Oro Valley, with Pima County covering the balance through its general fund. Staff estimate the arrangement saves the Town about $50,000 annually compared to providing the service independently.

Wilkins says budget holds the line while addressing key priorities

Town Manager Jeff Wilkins told the Mayor and Council at Wednesday night's council meeting that town revenues are flattening while costs continue to rise, requiring “a lot of strategic choices” over the next two years. He emphasized that his team worked line by line with departments to keep the 2026 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget flat, while preserving essential services, supporting public safety, and making targeted investments in the workforce and community priorities. Wilkins acknowledged the difficulty of these decisions and noted the inclusion of a new police officer position, a modest reduction in staffing elsewhere, and a continued focus on critical infrastructure. He reminded the public that the budget process remains open, with three more meetings—including two public hearings—still ahead.

Lawsuit over Rancho Valley Vista sewer damage continues... questions linger

The legal case (C20242358) between Pima County and Pulte Homes over sewer damage near the Rancho Valley Vista lift station is still ongoing. The dispute focuses on whether the damage was caused by poor soil preparation during construction or by an alleged 84,000-gallon water discharge in December 2021. Pulte has countered the County’s claims and is seeking reimbursement for repair work it says became necessary as a result of the leak. 

While the Town of Oro Valley is not a party to the lawsuit, the town is the water provider.  Town Water Director Abraham presented findings at a February 2024 Council meeting suggesting that an 84,000-gallon water discharge in December 2021 may have caused sewer damage near the lift station at Rancho Valley Vista. However, questions have since been raised about the accuracy and completeness of that presentation. Specifically, the water bill shown to Council at that time was from September 2022—not December 2021—and showed minimal usage. Some observers are now questioning whether the key water bill from the time of the alleged leak even exists or was ever issued, raising doubts about the basis for the discharge claim.

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Valley Vista Residents Deserve Answers

Residents express frustration over street conditions
Residents of the Valley Vista subdivision in Oro Valley are increasingly frustrated by the deteriorating condition of their streets. Visible settlement, sinkholes, and shifting pavers have become common sights, raising serious concerns about the safety and durability of the infrastructure. This after being "inconvenienced" by the repair of sinking sewer pipes and water damage at the sewerage lift station.

These issues have left many questioning whether anyone is taking their concerns seriously.

The genesis of the problem lies in floodplain construction
The roots of Valley Vista’s problems can be traced back to its construction within the Big Wash floodplain, a decision highlighted in a February 2024 LOVE article titled “Homes Built in Big Wash Floodplain”. The subdivision was built on backfilled soils prone to subsidence, especially when exposed to water infiltration. These geological challenges were not adequately addressed during construction, leading to the infrastructure failures now plaguing the community.

Worried residents hope to get answers this week

Discrepancies in town communication fuel resident distrust
Confusion and suspicion among residents have been exacerbated by conflicting information from town officials. A significant point of contention is the depth of street excavation required to properly address the street issues. While a geotechnical report from Ninyo & Moore recommended 48 inches of excavation, Town Engineer Paul Keesler communicated a much shallower 17-inch depth to residents. This discrepancy has led to growing distrust, with residents questioning the accuracy and transparency of the information provided by the town.

Lack of updates from town officials creates communication gaps
Adding to the frustration is the lack of consistent communication from town officials. According to an email chain dated September 2, 2024, the Town Council has not been updated on the situation at Valley Vista since February, leaving residents in the dark about the ongoing efforts to address the problems. Key stakeholders, such as the geotechnical engineers from Ninyo & Moore, have also been excluded from recent communications, further fueling concerns about whether the full scope of the issues is being transparently addressed.

What happens here matters to the town (and to you)

What happens with these streets is crucial. Once the town formally accepts them, they become town property, making the town responsible for their maintenance. It's imperative that all faults and issues with all the streets in Valley Vista be thoroughly identified and resolved before any handover occurs. Right now, it’s Pulte Homes' responsibility to address and fix these problems. If left unidentified or unresolved, these issues will be the town's burden, and by extension, your burden a a taxpayer. The town must ensure these all of these streets are in top condition before assuming responsibility.

An "open house" scheduled for September 12th aims to address concerns
In response to mounting concerns, the Town of Oro Valley has scheduled an open house this Thursday from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Oro Valley Council Chambers. This meeting will be an opportunity for residents to learn more about the upcoming street replacement project and to voice their concerns directly to town officials and representatives from Pulte Group. The open house will feature several stations covering topics such as the breadth of the work, the cross-section of the streets being repaired, the project schedule, and the involvement of Pima County Wastewater.

But one council member doesn't think the "open house" goes far enough

One council member, Tim Bohen, opposes the open house format chosen for the September 12 meeting. Bohen has been following Valley Vista situation closely. In fact, he is the only Council Member doing so. He tells us that the standard practice in Oro Valley has been to hold recorded, sit-down meetings where all attendees can ask questions, receive answers, and make public comments in a transparent manner. This traditional format allows for a clear record and ensures that everyone hears the same information. In contrast, the come-and-go Open House format cannot be effectively recorded, making it difficult to hold officials accountable. 

Bohen is also concerned about Town Engineer Paul Keesler's previous statements, which he believes have been proven untrue and were part of an effort to create separate narratives for the Council and the residents. He views the Open House as another tactic to avoid full transparency and accountability, further complicating the already tense situation at Valley Vista.

LOVE's Opinion: Valley Vista residents need to organize into a cohesive group and act in a united manner to address this and possible future issues

Valley Vista residents have yet to organize as a cohesive group, instead waiting individually for updates from Town staff. Perhaps they believe that the Town is acting in their best interest, but history shows otherwise. Town staff played a role in encouraging the Council to approve the general plan amendment and zoning change in 2017 and subsequently approved the necessary permits throughout the development process. This indicates a level of complicity. At some point, a significant mistake was made—perhaps the Town did not thoroughly investigate the quality of the soil being brought into the area. In addition, a review of the project's history reveals that soild concerns were never discussed before the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Council in 2017. 

There is plenty of blame to go around!

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