Barrett's Big Win... Why It Happened

A major victory for Barrett

Last week, LOVE reported on Melanie Barrett’s mayoral victory in Oro Valley. She received 57% of the votes cast to become the next mayor of our town. 

Here's our assessment of why it happened

Voters were happy with the results of eight years of effort by Barrett

Melanie Barrett entered the race with a strong record of service and broad support throughout Oro Valley. During her eight years on the Town Council, many voters felt that the Town had changed for the better. Barrett had been involved in the major decisions that shaped the community.

After years of effort and investment, municipal golf went from being a financial burden on the Town to becoming a valued community asset. The Town weathered the pandemic years successfully. Naranja Park, once only a dream, became a reality. Public safety is rated among the best in the state. The roads remain in good condition. The views have been protected. The former Vistoso Golf Course is now preserved in perpetuity.

Barrett was able to run on that record. She had also run twice before and received record vote totals. Voters knew her, knew her work and appeared satisfied with the Town’s direction. Her victory suggests that many voters saw her as the candidate best prepared to continue that work as mayor.

Napier got his message across... and voters did not "buy it"

Barrett’s record of success meant that Napier needed a compelling campaign theme to make the race competitive. His message was that the Town would face serious financial difficulty within four or five years, that the problem required immediate action and that he was the candidate best equipped to address it. That argument required considerable persuasion because most voters could not see evidence of an approaching crisis. 

Napier never proved that the Town was heading toward dire financial straits. LOVE published several articles explaining why the available financial information did not support that conclusion. Our assessment was that Oro Valley will face financial challenges as it approaches build-out, as many communities do. Those challenges will require careful planning, but they do not establish that the Town is facing a financial crisis.

Positive messaging works better than negative messaging
Barrett’s message remained positive throughout the campaign. She focused on her experience, her record and her plans for Oro Valley, not on attacking her opponent. Napier, on the other hand, decided sometime in June that his financial message was not gaining enough traction and shifted toward increasingly negative attacks on Barrett. He argued that she was not capable of serving as mayor and that he was far more qualified, asking voters to discount her eight years as vice mayor and her earlier service on the Planning and Zoning Commission. He also tried to blame Barrett for the poor performance of the Oro Valley Marketplace, despite the fact that the property had struggled for more than 17 years. That argument also ignored Barrett’s role in negotiating the agreement with the property’s new owner that is now bringing a hotel, apartments, public spaces and other development to the site. As we observed during the campaign, negative attacks may energize a candidate’s existing supporters, but they often do little to persuade independent voters.

The result: Barrett dominated (almost) everywhere

Barrett’s support extended across all of Oro Valley [see panel right, above]. She received more votes than Napier in 10 of the Town’s 11 precincts. Napier’s only victory came in Precinct 194, the Community Center precinct and the center of the four-precinct “golf” voting block we discussed two weeks ago. Even within that block, Barrett carried the other three precincts, although her margins were narrow in traditional Community Center Precincts 077 and 173. The results show that Barrett’s appeal reached well beyond her strongest areas and into communities that had previously been expected to favor Napier.

Hello...I'm Melanie Barrett

While Napier spent much of the campaign producing videos and posting criticism on Facebook, Barrett was out meeting voters. She walked neighborhoods, attended community events and introduced herself directly: “Hello, I’m Melanie Barrett.” That matters in Oro Valley, where many residents are older and are accustomed to meeting candidates in person. They may not spend much time on social media or follow campaign posts on Facebook. Barrett understood that there is no substitute for personal contact, and her street-level campaigning helped turn familiarity into votes.

Voters’ message was clear: "No Change Needed"
Every election sends a message. The message from this one appears to be that most Oro Valley voters are satisfied with the Town’s direction and prefer steady, experienced leadership over promises of dramatic change. They know Melanie Barrett. They like what she has done. They think she is perfectly capable of leading Oro Valley into the future.

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Tomorrow: The Five Factors That Shaped the Oro Valley Council Election

REALTORS® PAC Makes $6,400 Contribution to Napier Campaign

Realtor PAC weighs in
The REALTORS® of Arizona Political Action Committee (RAPAC) contributed $6,400 to mayoral candidate Mark Napier’s campaign. That represents about 19.5% of the campaign’s total receipts through June 30. Excluding the $5,056.54 that Mark and Marlene Napier loaned the campaign, the RAPAC contribution represents approximately 23% of the money received from other sources.

Napier participated in questionnaire and interview
LOVE asked Napier about the contribution. He told us that he believes he completed an RAPAC questionnaire and participated in a panel interview. He said the questions covered his professional background, public administration, issues facing Oro Valley and his general understanding of real estate issues. 

Barrett says "No" to PAC contributions
We spoke with Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett. Her campaign-finance report shows no PAC contributions. She told LOVE she does not recall whether she was ever contacted by RAPAC. Even if the organization had contacted her, she said she would not have accepted its financial support. Barrett has never accepted PAC contributions in any of her three campaigns because she believes doing so allows her to answer only to Oro Valley residents. 

The value RAPAC get from supporting Napier...

Napier told us that his priorities are:

• Development consistent with existing zoning

• Building heights that do not detract from the Town’s appearance

• Development compatible with surrounding neighborhoods

• Responsible and sustainable development of Oro Valley’s remaining open residential land

We do not know whether any of those priorities align with RAPAC’s. You can do your own assessment by comparing them to those listed in the panel above. The size of the contribution suggests that either RAPAC saw an alignment between its priorities and his or that it expects to receive some other value. 

...could be "access"

Napier told LOVE that any suggestion that the contribution could influence him was “patently absurd....I made no commitments to the Realtors PAC other than to listen." This commitment to listen does assure RAPAC that its views will be heard if he is elected mayor. Whether that opportunity alone explains the $6,400 contribution remains unanswered.

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2027 TMRB: Candidates Split On Whether Budget Is Prudent Planning Or Warning Sign

This is our fourth article regarding the 2027 TMRB. The first article covered revenues. The second covered spending. Yesterday, we covered personnel. Today we cover the thoughts of the candidates for Mayor and Council in this year’s election regarding this budget. We asked them: What is your reaction to the proposed budget?

Here are the responses of the two Mayoral Candidates.

Barrett is focused on making sure this budget builds toward long term fiscal sustainability
Vice Mayor Barrett is unable to reply to our question because the budget is currently under consideration by the Town Council. However, we can get some sense of her thinking on the budget from her remarks during the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget study session. Barrett focused on long term fiscal sustainability issues, including reserve levels, recurring operating costs, and capital funding as Oro Valley approaches buildout. One area she focused on in particular was maintaining the council’s long standing policy of dedicating 5% of General Fund revenues to capital needs. Barrett stated that “in a community where you don’t have lots of new things being built and as you approach build-out, that 5% becomes all the more critical.”

Click To Enlarge

Napier sees the TMRB as a warning sign
Mayoral candidate Mark Napier views the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget critically. Napier wrote: “The recommendations for 2027 include deferment or elimination of capital improvements totaling $11.6 million, $1.5 million reduction in PSPRS excess contributions, a freeze on new hiring and direction to reduce O&M costs by 0.5%. Even with these steps we still may need to tap the fund balance for an additional $1.3 million. All this will be required to simply balance the budget, as required by state law.”

Here are the responses of the five council candidates.

Dailey describes the TMRB as conservative and balanced
Council candidate Rosa Dailey described the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget as a conservative response to current economic conditions. Dailey wrote: “The Town Manager’s Recommended Budget (TMRB) for fiscal year 26/27 reflects a balanced and conservative approach that proactively anticipates and manages softening town revenues in our current economic environment and adjusts discretionary spending accordingly. The plan prioritizes and maintains current service levels and aligns spending with revised revenue expectations.”

DeSimone sees the TMRB as evidence of growing fiscal pressure

Council candidate Chris DeSimone viewed the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget critically, describing it as evidence of growing long term fiscal pressure and the need for changes in council direction and oversight. DeSimone wrote:"Since my kickoff event in January, I have been pointing out that our wonderful town has financially painted itself in a corner.  Flattening revenues and increasing costs is a sad reality of our situation. A budget that features cuts in capital improvements, cuts to the public safety pension excess contribution and dipping into the Town's reserve funds to balance the budget shows the need for a new mix of mindsets on the council and willingness to manage staff more closely."   

Herrington emphasizes long term sustainability
Council candidate Jake Herrington emphasized long term fiscal sustainability and economic development. Herrington wrote: “I believe the 2027 budget discussion should focus heavily on sustainability. Oro Valley cannot rely forever on residential growth alone to support future service demands. We need to continue strengthening and diversifying the commercial tax base, supporting redevelopment and reinvestment along key corridors such as Oracle and Ina Roads, and identifying strategic economic opportunities that will generate long-term revenue without placing unnecessary burdens on residents.”

Pina observes revenue pressure in the budget
Council candidate Rhonda Pina described the proposed budget as challenging and focused on the need for careful expense management. Pina wrote: “The proposed budget is challenging as presented by the town manager. There is acknowledgement of decreasing revenue trends and a need to manage expenses effectively.”

Wood emphasizes the budget's balancing of revenues and expenses
Council candidate Matt Wood expressed support for the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget and the Town’s annexation efforts. Wood wrote: “The Town Manager prepared a balanced budget for 2026/27 and the Council is pursuing an annexation along Ina that would bring in significant sales tax revenue. I think this is an excellent start. We need to continue to work on a long term balancing of expenses and revenues, but small incremental increases in revenue and working on reducing the sales tax leakage losses will go a long way towards fiscal stability.”

Our conclusion: Candidates differ more on urgency than the challenge of fiscal sustainability itself

Our conclusion: Candidates differ more on urgency than the challenge of fiscal sustainability itself

What appears to distinguish the candidates is less whether they believe long term fiscal sustainability is a challenge for Oro Valley and more how urgently they view that challenge and whether they see the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget as an appropriate response.

• Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett, Rosa Dailey, and Matt Wood generally view the TMRB as a prudent step toward managing long term financial sustainability as Oro Valley approaches buildout.
• Jake Herrington focuses more heavily on broader long term planning, redevelopment, and diversifying the Town’s commercial tax base to prepare for slower future revenue growth.
• Rhonda Pina feels that the budget shows immediate revenue pressures. She stops short of describing the situation as structurally unsustainable.
• Mark Napier and Chris DeSimone view the current budget much more critically, describing it as a warning sign requiring stronger corrective action and signaling changes needed in long term fiscal priorities and council direction.

Taken together, the responses suggest broad agreement that Oro Valley faces important long term financial decisions ahead, even though candidates differ on how immediate the challenge is and how the Town should respond.

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Bits and Pieces

Barrett qualifies for mayoral ballot with maximum signatures
Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett has qualified for the Oro Valley mayoral ballot, submitting 1,050 signatures, double the 525 required. Barrett, who has served two terms on council, cited priorities including fiscal responsibility, parks and recreation, and protecting views and open space. “I am incredibly grateful to each person who signed and helped us achieve this significant milestone,...This level of support demonstrates significant grass-roots support in the community, as well as hundreds of conversations with citizens of Oro Valley.” She will now continue her campaign leading up to the July 21, 2026 election. (Source: Media Release, melaniebarrett.org)

Scramble for youth returns April 18 at El Conquistador
The Oro Valley Optimist Club will host its annual “Scramble for Youth” golf fundraiser on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the El Conquistador Golf Course, with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start and lunch included. Proceeds support local youth programs such as Camp Fury, Project Graduation, Police Explorers, and Arizona Youth Partnership. Organizers note that the event remains a key fundraiser for these efforts and will also include raffle prizes. Residents can learn more or register here

2025 Annual Police report shows strong response times and high call volume and much more
The Oro Valley Police Department’s 2025 Annual Report is now available online, offering a detailed look at department activity and priorities. Among the highlights, officers handled more than 50,000 calls for service in 2025, while maintaining average response times of about 3 minutes for high-priority emergencies and under 5 minutes for other calls. The report also outlines staffing levels, community programs, and crime trends, giving residents a clearer picture of how police services are delivered and where resources are focused.

Volunteers lead push to make Pusch Ridge a certified wildlife sanctuary
The latest newsletter from Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf highlights a growing volunteer effort to transform the course into a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. As detailed in the March update, 14 volunteers recently planted 61 pollinator plants along key areas of the course to begin creating butterfly gardens that will support birds and other wildlife. The effort is part of a broader, multi-year process that includes habitat management, water conservation, and environmental education, with participation from residents, local organizations, and Town staff. Residents can contact the group about the Audubon project at puschaudubon@gmail.com ( Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf Newsletter, March 18, 2026)

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Five Oddities

Five oddities
Yesterday we reported our fact-based analysis of the decision by the Town Council to overrule the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the height permitted for the new Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) sanctuary. As we reported, the Council approved a 36-foot height. But what we didn’t report were the oddities we observed during that meeting. There were many—but here are our top five:

Council ignores four years of input from residents
The residents most directly impacted by the decision have been attending Council meetings and speaking during the “Call to Audience” portion for the past four years. They have consistently voiced concerns about the church's expansion. None of this was acknowledged by the Council during last week’s discussion. Instead, Mayor Winfield referred to an impromptu “survey” based on emails he received just days before the meeting, regarding the church’s request for a continuance. He reported that 10 of the 13 emails he received supported granting the continuance. He gave full weight to these last-minute emails rather than four years of sustained public comment. The rest of the Council went along with it.

What happened during the five-minute timeout, and why did Barrett change her mind?
After spending considerable time making an impassioned plea for a 29-foot height limit, Vice Mayor Barrett asked for a five-minute recess to reconsider. Her words were: “Can I ask for us to take a five-minute break? I just—I really want to think for a minute.” Some have speculated that she may have been influenced during that break by one or more Council members, but there is no evidence of that, and such speculation is not helpful without proof. Still, taking a break to reflect isn’t wrong—but it does invite speculation when a clear change in position follows so closely afterward.

The "Clifton Matter:" Why was it brought up at the same time?
It seemed odd that the Clifton matter was discussed during the executive session just before the public discussion of the OVCN height appeal. The Clifton case involves a court ruling against the Town, where the court found that a town body—specifically the Board of Adjustment—erred in a height-related decision. The Town not only lost the case but was ordered to pay Clifton's legal fees and costs of about $19,000. Immediately after the executive session, the Council voted to appeal the Planning and Zoning Commission OVCN height ruling. It’s hard to ignore the timing: A height-related legal loss followed by a sensitive height decision in public session. It makes one wonder whether town attorneys were subtly signaling the Council to avoid a possible courtroom setback. If so, the Council followed that signal precisely.

Robb voted "Yes”
Councilmember Robb lives directly across from the church property and is personally affected by the decision. Rather than standing with the Concordia-Buena Vista group, which opposed the height increase, she voted in favor of it. Her decision was in sharp contrast to Councilmember Greene, an OVCN member, who celebrated openly after the vote. Perhaps Robb believed the outcome was inevitable and decided to go along with it. But as the saying goes: "Never go along just to get along."

OVCN snatches victory from the jaws of defeat
OVCN came to the meeting hoping for a continuance, fearing the Council might reject their height request. Instead, by the end of the night, they got everything they wanted—approval for the full 36 feet. The residents, meanwhile, got nothing. In fact, their concerns weren’t even a factor in the Council’s discussion. Not once did anyone on the dais speak to the repeated objections and long-standing input from affected neighbors.

Yes, it was a strange night, indeed.
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Bits and Pieces

This weekend celebrate the season at the Oro Valley Festival
The Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration, hosted by SAACA, takes place this weekend at the Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Rd. Enjoy festive performances, a visit from Santa, and a vibrant arts showcase, with the tree lighting set for Saturday at 6 p.m. This free event is a beloved holiday tradition. (Source: Town of Oro Valley “Vista” newsletter, November-December 2024)

Barrett unanimously re-appointed vice mayor 

At Wednesday's council meeting, council member Melanie Barrett was reappointed as vice mayor of the Town. Barrett has been vice mayor for the past five years.

Council unanimously approves three ordinances: Streamline litter enforcement, set zoning request time limits, and implement state-mandated accessory dwelling unit rules
Also Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council unanimously approved three ordinances during Wednesday night’s meeting. The first, Ordinance 024-10, updates the town code on garbage and litter to streamline enforcement of property maintenance violations. The ordinance allows alternative noticing methods, such as posting notices on properties or filing with the county recorder, making it easier for the town to address abandoned or neglected properties.

Ordinance 024-11 amends the zoning code to comply with state law on residential rezoning applications, legal protest areas, and development review expirations. It establishes a 180-day processing deadline for rezoning applications, clarifies the exclusion of government-owned properties from legal protest areas, and sets a 12-month inactivity cap for development applications before they expire.

The third measure, Ordinances 024-12 and 024-13, aligns the town’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations with state law, including height, location, and rental provisions. These changes aim to balance compliance with state mandates while addressing potential community concerns, such as neighborhood density and short-term rentals. There was minimal council discussion, as most items followed state law requirements.

The Cottage at Immaculate Heart: Check us out for the holidays!

"The Cottage is a vintage thrift store located at scenic 420 E Magee Rd, Oro Valley.  All items are previously loved, with all proceeds supporting the Sisters of Immaculate Heart.  Since our last ‘Bits ‘n Pieces’ in 2023, we’ve grown! Due to the generosity of others, we were able to enhance the landscape to allow increased parking and acquire several storage units, allowing space for increased inventory. 

We want to remind you that we’re here to offer a unique shopping experience and are a viable place at which you can donate.  Please visit our website for info regarding days/hours; donating; and, some photos of inventory (www.thecottageov.com).  Current hours are Weds thru Fri, 9am -1pm (website will always be most accurate source of info for hours and Saturday sale dates).  Call 520-405-4613 with information about pick up of items, donating on-site or any other questions.  Hope to see you soon!" (Source: The Cottage reader email)

SnOV on December 21
"Join us for the SnOV event on Thursday, December 21, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center! Enjoy games, crafts, food and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), holiday characters, real snow, and a special visit from Santa. Due to limited parking, visitors are encouraged to park at the Oro Valley Town Hall parking lot (11000 North La Cañada Drive) and walk to the event, with Parks and Recreation staff and the Oro Valley Police Department ensuring a safe path. ADA parking will be available at the Community & Recreation Center." (Source)

Greene Helps Make Town Staff 4% Pay Raise A Reality, Ignoring Financial Warnings...Failing To Participate In Discussion

Town Staff Gets Big Pay Increase 
This year’s budget includes a whopping 4% increase across the board for all employees. That’s the highest level ever given, in a year in which the council was warned that revenues are going to be tight in the future. 

Greene, Joyce-Ivey, Solomon and Winfield supported big increase
That increase was explicitly approved by a slim council majority at the June 19 council meeting, a meeting in which the council approved the $151.2 million fiscal 2025 Budget. Vice-Mayor Barrett had argued in favor of the historical 3% increase.  Council Members Bohen and Nicolson voiced their support for that.

Town “Spreads the Peanut Butter” when it comes to pay raises... No performance based awards...No incentive to get better
When it comes to staff pay raises, Oro Valley spreads the peanut butter! Everybody gets the same percent increase regardless of their performance. 

This contrasts with private sector practice where, as noted by Vice Mayor Barrett and Council Member Bohen, employees are paid based on their performance. As Council Member Nicolson noted at that meeting, who works in the public sector under the across-the-board pay philosophy: “I get the same raises, still same pay, not really a whole lot of incentive to improve.”

Barrett: Individual performance should be individually awarded
“I think it’s important to have some performance-based measures because I think that helps encourage our good employees, and we can help identify the employees that are most likely flight risks. That’s something that’s done regularly throughout all of the private sector and efficient places in other sectors as well,” said Vice Mayor Barrett.

Votava: No. That might make some people unhappy
Town Human Resource Director Andy Votava does not think that is a good idea: “So, in my mind, I don’t think we’re well-equipped to implement a pay-for-performance system because the danger or the hazard is that if we don’t do it well, some employees may take issue with that. Potentially, anybody can file a lawsuit, but it could lead to complaints.” 

Greene supported this massive increase in spending though he failed to even participate in the discussion

Mo Greene, who is running for reelection, claims to be fiscally responsible. However, his actions, including his decision to support this 4% across-the-board pay raise despite looming financial constraints, demonstrate the opposite. He was so disinterested in the conversation on the pay increase that he did not participate in it. Not one word!

Indeed, Greene's disregard for fiscal responsibility was evident when, at the Sun City forum, he was asked how he would demonstrate fiscal responsibility. He merely echoed Council Member Solomon's statement in a May council meeting: "We need to separate our wants from our needs." Greene then referenced something he did 20 years ago while working the New England Journal of Medicine, without citing any actions he has taken on the council in the past four years. That's because there were no examples to cite. 

Next Tuesday's election is a clear opportunity for voters to hold him accountable for his demonstrated lack of fiscal responsibility. 

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(Source: June 19, 2024 Oro Valley Town Council Meeting, Item 5)

Bits and Pieces

Barrett and Bohen "get it."  Oro Valley’s stewardship requires balancing the financial impact of buildout and the sustainability of maintaining a maturing infrastructure

In January, LOVE reported on an independent study of the town's financial future. This study focussed on the impact of a "buildout" on Oro Valley's future. That study concluded that the town's budgets will remain sustainable through the expected residential buildout in 2034. However, the projected financial margin is very tight, leaving limited resources for long-term maintenance and unforeseen costs. Then, a few weeks ago, we reported regarding the town's five year financial projection. This was prepared by staff. That report projected that the town will face financial challenges starting in 2026, necessitating at least $11 million in bond funds to cover shortfalls for major highway projects and rising pavement preservation costs. 

The study and the five year projection address different time frames regarding the town's financial future; but both do emphasize the need for careful planning and spending as the town continues to mature. Given what we observed in the two day TMRB study session last week, two council members, Bohen and Barrett, "get it." And Nicolson is not far behind.

Town Grant Update: $18.1 Million in Progress, $213K Awarded

Town Manager Wilkins added a section in his May report to the council. That section discusses the status of grants sought by the town over the past six months. The report lists eight grants in progress, totaling $18.1 million. $213K has been awarded to date. Most of the pending dollars requested are for three public works bridge projects. $4.5 million is sought for public safety, including a $3 million request for the design of a police station. The town will file a $2 million grant request for the Vistoso Nature Preserve revegetation project in the next fiscal year. (Source: Town Manager May Report to Council, page 32)

Town Financial Update through February: Revenues rise, expenditures driven by capital Projects

"The Town continues to perform as expected from a Townwide financial perspective. Total Townwide revenues are up $7,399,890 through February 2024 in comparison to February 2023. Meanwhile, total Townwide expenditures are greater than February 2023 by $6,388,977. Capital is the primary driver of the increase in spending from the prior year, as it accounts for $4,875,207 of the $6,388,977, or 76%. Personnel and O&M also continue to outpace last year’s outflows through February. Total estimated Townwide Fund Balances through February 2024 are $84,981,826, which is about $4.2 million less than the Town carried into the fiscal year. This reduction in fund balance is primarily a function of the large capital projects being executed and the continued spend down of ARPA and Parks and Recreation bond monies." (Source: Town Manager May Report To Council, page 31) 

Let’s hear it for CDO’s… An Arizona sports leader

The Canyon Del Oro High School sports teams have had an impressive year, showcasing their talent and dedication. While both the baseball and softball teams narrowly missed winning the 3A Arizona State Championships this past week, their effort and skill were commendable. Last fall, the football team triumphed, securing the 3A State Championship. Congratulations to all the athletes for their hard work and for being outstanding representatives of Oro Valley. Your community is proud of your achievements and spirit.

Get ready to rock at OV Battle of the Bands, May 17

"This free concert, which runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m., on Friday, May 17, at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater (551 W. Lambert Lane), features three bands comprised of students from local high schools. The bands will bring their musical talents to a live audience with a three-song setlist...Admission to the concert is free and food trucks will be on site with items available for purchase. It is recommended that attendees bring a lawn chair or blanket." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release).   

Bits and Pieces

Barrett: Should the town rename the Community Center Fund?

At last week's council meeting, Vice Mayor Barrett reacted to a comment made by Council Member Solomon. Solomon has repeatedly complains that half of the half percent Hiremath Community Center sales tax no longer goes to support golf only.  

"I usually listen to this argument and let it pass, but I don't feel like I can tonight," Barrett noted. "The community center fund sales tax was passed unilaterally by council on a four-to-three vote. This council, on a six-to-zero vote, expanded the use of that sales tax with the exact same authority that passed it to begin with; through the same mechanisms, and ordinances. So continually saying that the community center fund sales tax is just for the community center and the golf courses is just not the case.” That expanded use of these sales tax monies also now goes to funding Naranja Park and other park-related amenities. "It probably shouldn't even be called the community center fund anymore, because now that can be allocated to parks and recreation."

Tiny Bits

• Naranja will likely have its grand reopening in May (Source: Town Manager Wilkins)
• Ashley Furniture is now "Lounge By Levitz"
• Council voted to reduce town's Historical Preservation Commission" from seven to five members. Lack of resident interest in being on the Commission was the primary reason 

Big 50th Anniversary Celebration Saturday

The Town of Oro Valley invites residents and visitors alike to join us for the 50th Anniversary Community Celebration at James D. Kriegh Park this Saturday, April 13, 2024, beginning at noon and concluding with a fireworks finale at 9:30 p.m. JDK Park is located at 23 W. Calle Concordia. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

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Council Votes To "Preserve The Preserve"

Barrett and Nicolson lead the charge for $2 million in funding in 2025
Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett and Council Member Josh Nicolson led a successful effort last week to make the revegetation of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve a priority in next year’s budget. As a result, the council unanimously approved including $2 million in that budget to begin the revegetation program in earnest.

Council needed to do something because town staff planned to spend next to nothing on the Preserve
Barrett and Nicolson were spurred to action because town staff had decided to fund the Preserve at a trivial level: $200,000 per year in the budget for each of the next five years; $100,000 for ensuing five. That amount is barely enough to keep the weeds at bay. At that rate, Nicolson noted, “I’m gonna be ninety years old by the time we're actually gonna be putting in some capital improvement in the property.” He’s forty today! He continued: “I do think it'd be nice for us to do something now for the people who invested nearly $2 million in the community,” referring to the fact that residents raised money to buy the Preserve.

And the Preserve is a mess
As we reported last week, the current state of the Preserve after two years of Oro Valley ownership is dreadful. One resident speaking at the meeting called it a “Ghost Preserve” because “we don’t know what’s growing there.”

Residents underscored need for real funding
Fifteen residents spoke at the meeting. They emphasized the urgent need for increased funding and focused efforts to restore the Preserve to its original desert beauty and ecological integrity. They urged the Town Council to prioritize its redevelopment, advocating for strategic investment to transform the area into a vibrant natural space representative of Oro Valley's beauty. They highlighted the importance of native seeding, revegetation, and infrastructure repair. They also called for equitable funding and decisive action to fulfill the potential of the preserve as a valuable asset for the community, emphasizing its role in enhancing Oro Valley's recreational offerings and preserving open space.

The Conservation easement holder recommended getting started now
John Welch, the representative of Archeology Southwest, the manager of the conservation easement on the property, spoke at the meeting. He said that it's time to update how we restore nature, focusing on less toxic ways to control invasive species and erosion. He believes that the town needs to complete the Vistoso master plan, making it current and consistent with the easement requirements, and that it should take action to fix urgent issues in the preserve. He believes that doing this will make it sustainable long-term and attract outside funding.

All Council Members supported the funding
At the meeting, Council Member Tim Bohen expressed the general consensus of the council. Addressing the residents directly: "You made an investment of your time, your will, and your energy, and it's really time for the Council to act. I don't think that the motion goes far enough. If there's going to be support for it, I think we should do it for at least three years… So I will support the motion, and I'm super grateful for the money that you put in. It's time for the town to start investing, and I hope we can do even more than this motion proposes tonight."

Next step: Reviewing and approving a realistic plan
In a few week, the council will hear the consultant, Sites Southwest, plans for the Preserve and the cost. Past plans presented have been grandiose. Portions have been in violation of conservation easement requirements.

Vice Mayor Barrett set the tone for that discussion: “We don't want a super expensive plan that's expensive because it involves lots of paving, additional trails, and other things that aren't consistent with the conservation easement.” 

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Barrett: Lots Of Good News In The Housing Study

A housing study that was predisposed to negative conclusions

We reported yesterday that the draft housing study report presented to council at the December 6 study session was predisposed toward "doom and gloom" conclusions. This was because the study scope, as provided to the consultant by town staff, predisposed the conclusion that the Oro Valley housing stock was insufficient to accommodate future growth; and that Oro Valley housing was unaffordable. 

... does have some important "jewels" buried in the details

The report, however, is not useless. In fact, according to Vice Mayor Barrett, there is a lot of good news in the study.  Here are her remarks from the December council study session.

The jewels, as identified by Vice-Mayor Melanie Barrett, confirm that the town is well positioned to meet all State mandated requirements of the housing element of the 2026 general plan

"I made a list of like great news things that I found in buried in the details of the study:

• 
  Our community has a lot of homeowners whose property values have increased. Their investments track with regional and national standards.
• Many people own and can afford to own their homes in Oro Valley;  although homeownership has declined and rentals have increased, which could also be good. 
• 62% of Oro Valley residents under 35 own their home, as compared to 39% in the nation. So a lot more younger people here own their home. 
• We have enough housing currently zoned for our projected population growth and a lot of that is in high density residential. 
• The condition of homes are high and citizens are satisfied with them, which set us up well for the state requirements, going into our general plan regarding conditions, and meeting the needs of persons with disabilities. 
• We are very near many other areas that also have projected population growth. Our home values are relatively affordable compared to Phoenix, the State, and the area around it.
• If you look at that household income compared to housing cost, 88% of our citizens would not contemplate leaving Oro Valley. I think that that speaks highly of the quality of life that we have here.
• We’re on pace to meet all of our housing related legal requirements in our general plan.
• Oro Valley household income is outpacing the State, helping us to remain relatively affordable.
• Our stabilized vacancy rate in apartments is reported to be around 7%. This is above what would be considered a shortage which the study says would be 5%.  So we don’t have a shortage at this time.
• Overcrowding is not an issue in our houses.
• Our labor force has grown. 
• Our renters are less cost-burdened than state and national averages. 

So, there’s really a lot of good news for Oro Valley that is in the details of the report.  That’s where I was a little bit concerned with some of the bad news. I feel like there’s a lot of good news and a lot of good things going on in Oro Valley to emphasize.”

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Bits and Pieces

Town preparing for Pusch Ridge Golf decision

In 2021, the town council approved reopening and operating the Pusch Ridge Golf Course for a duration of three years. The conclusion of this three-year period will coincide with the end of spring, marking the point at which the town council will determine its ongoing commitment to operating the course. Earlier this month, town staff conducted a site visit earlier this month. Council members are scheduled to visit the course later this month, and town staff is diligently preparing a comprehensive analysis of the course, slated to be presented to the council in January.

The group Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf (FOPRG) is working with the town, focusing on the future: “The answer should not be whether or not to keep it open but instead what actions need to be taken to make it more environmentally sustainable. It is popular, it serves the community and it is costing the town less to operate than most other recreational assets.” (Sources: Email from Tony D’Angelo, representing FOPRG and Newsletter)

Getting a complete look at what it costs to operate the community center

During last week's town council meeting, Council Member Tim Bohen noted aa discrepancy in accounting related to the operational expenses of running the community center. Bohen highlighted the issue concerning the community center saunas, which have been non-functional for a considerable period. They require new heaters and some electrical repairs. Town is requesting that these replacements be included in the capital budget so that they can be paid from the capital fund, and not from the community center fund.

Bohen is right. As replacing a heater constitutes the substitution of an existing item, it does not qualify as a capital expenditure. The repair costs should be covered by the ongoing revenues of the community center fund and not the town’s capital fund.

Town Council should require that community center financial reports include all expenses, regardless of the fund from which they are paid. This approach would provide a more accurate representation of the true cost of operating the community center.

Barrett Reappointed Vice Mayor 

Congratulations to Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett.  Last week, the Town Council unanimously appointed her as Vice Mayor. This is Barretts fifth year of service in that role.

Liaison assignments unchanged for 2024

Each town council member is assigned a liaison assignment to one of the town volunteer boards and/or to an outside agency. The council approved the following assignments for 2024. These are unchanged from 2023.  

Garcia case being prosecuted by the City of Tucson

In October, the town "transferred" the prosecution of the case of the Town of Oro Valley v Sabrina Garcia to the City of Tucson. The town believes that this transfer prevented a potential conflict of interest with three claims that against the town that total $89.6 million.

The court case and the lawsuit stem from the March 17 vehicular homicide of Olivia Villalobos and the severe injury to her sister near the entrance of Naranja Park.  Garcia is charged with two counts under section 28-672A (M1): Accident that results in a death and accident that results in serious injury. The case is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in Tucson City Court on January 12 at 9am in Judge Verenna's courtroom 9 (case: M1041TR23040476 ).  

Candidate Handbooks available for August council election

Curious about joining the town council? Three seats are up for grabs in this August's election. To secure a spot on the ballot, you must obtain a candidate handbook and gather a minimum of 430 signatures from residents. Schedule an appointment to collect the candidate handbook by reaching out to the Town Clerk at mstandish@orovalleyaz.gov or calling 520-229-4700. Nomination papers can be submitted by candidates starting from 8 a.m. on March 9, 2024, until 5 p.m. on April 8, 2024. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Town to recertify 100 year DAWS designation

Last week, the town council, authorized Oro Valley Water Director Peter Abraham to seek a recertification of the town's state 100-year designated assured water supply (DAWS).  "...the designation needs to be reviewed and an application submitted to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to modify the designation every 10-years. During this process the demands on the aquifer over the past 10-years is quantified and a report submitted to ADWR demonstrating that the designation of assured water supply can be modified to provide another 100-years of assured water supply. This only applies to groundwater use." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Council Meeting, 12-6-23, Consent Agenda Item 3). The town currently has this DAWS designation.

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Town Council Requests Staff Report On Municipal Golf Operations

Council wants staff report on municipal golf operations 

Last week, the Oro Valley town Council voted unanimously that Town staff present a detailed report on municipal golf operations to include the financial results. The request is not in anyway to infer that operations are either good or bad. The council simply wants town staff to provide a single comprehensive source of information, accessible to the public. They didn’t specify a timeline for this report, but it is our opinion that it would be best issued together with the result to the recently commissioned external audit of municipal golf results.

The upcoming independent audit of municipal golf operating results is crucial

...because all reports on municipal golf operations have come from the municipal golf course operator, Indigo Golf, and are not considered the town’s accounting. It is our opinion that the Indigo reports are not prepared  in conformance with recognized accounting principles, so we anticipate changes in reported results to ensure such. In addition, Council member Bohen has raised valid concerns about reported revenues, prompting the audit to include a review of point-of-sale data for revenue verification. Agreement on the revenue number is critical for future decision making regarding the courses.

The decision for this report emerged through a somewhat indirect process 

Councilmember Solomon initiated the motion that would provide information to the homeowners association (HOA) that subsidize municipal golf operations. Vice Mayor Barrett stressed the importance of disseminating information to everyone, leading to unanimous agreement on that.

Council emotions "all over the place" regarding "Everything Municipal Golf"

The council members have different views regarding municipal golf's profitability and the need for continue HOA financial support. 

Council member Solomon questions why the Town is taking money from five HOAs to support municipal golf if municipal golf operations are profitable. The subsidy agreements is with five HOAs who provide $160,000 annually in financial support. Solomon points out that the Indigo Golf reported financial results show that municipal golf is now making a profit. He observes that the municipal golf is making a substantial profit when you include all of the revenues designated for g municipal golf, which includes sales tax revenue and the subsidy from the HOAs. 

Solomon also believes that things have changed.  One of the HOAs committed a subsidy at a time when the entire half-cent sales tax, approved by the 2015 council, was designated to support both municipal golf and the community center. Following that agreement, the Winfield council decided to redirect half of that sales tax revenue to the town’s other recreational activities. Consequently, Solomon contends that the town is indirectly using HOA funds to sustain non municipal golf recreational activities.

Despite this, Solomon never made a motion to cancel the HOA subsidies. Instead, he opted for the motion on reporting that council approved with minor modification.

Vice Mayor Barrett observed that the town has dedicated millions of dollars to municipal golf, factoring in the substantial operating losses experienced during Mayor Hiremath's administration and the significant costs associated with the replacement of the irrigation on the municipal golf courses. 

Council Member Bohen believes that the HOA contributions are trivial in comparison to these substantial expenditures and says that he would have voted against the subsidy had he been on council at the time of the agreement.  

Council Member Nicolson, on the other hand, thinks that it is reasonable for the HOAs to contribute to the municipal golf, stating, "It's worth the $50 a month... It's a reasonable amount." 

Mayor Winfield bleives that "...we are in a better place now that we are all collaborating. We've made substantial investments in these municipal golf courses."

Fuzzy numbers at heart of the issue

The town staff incorporated the panel (shown above right) into the council packet. The operational and budget figures are sourced from Indigo Golf, while the capital investment figures are supplied by the town staff. As previously noted, there is an ongoing debate regarding the appropriate methodology for calculating municipal golf profit. Questions have arisen as to whether it should encompass depreciation and amortization, rely on cash inflows and outflows, or be determined based on revenue earned versus expenses incurred. We anticipate that the forthcoming audit will shed light on these matters and more, bringing clarity to the situation.

Until then, further discussions about municipal golf's financial results are meaningless.

Guest View-Don Cox: Council Inaction on Growth-“Lean Years Are Coming”

A friend forwarded a copy of a recent post on this blog. After reading it, I felt compelled to submit some thoughts of my own about the post and the Town of Oro Valley in general.

That post was penned by Mike Zinkin. If you have been around the Oro Valley for 20+ years, you probably know that Mike and I have had a few differences over the years. What may surprise you is that in the past couple of years, we have discovered that we agree on many issues. In fact, he and I have been featured jointly on the Jim Horn’s Oro Valley Podcast” in recent weeks. So at this time, I want to ‘dovetail’ on some of his commentary.

In the past 5 years, the governance of Oro Valley has taken a well oiled financial machine, the envy of the vast majority of the municipalities in the United States and placed it on the road to financial failure. Unfortunately we have now moved into the fast lane of that road.

The current Town Manager’s proposed FY 2023/2024 budget is nothing more than documenting the stated desires of the Town Council in writing, and then assigning a cost to it. It does not address the needs of the town. Rather, it reflects the personal desires of the town council members. A “splash pad” did not come from the residents. it came from Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett. A “Pump Track” did not come from the Town residents. It came from, Councilman Josh Nicholson. 

About 3 or 4 months ago you were given a clear ‘red flag message’ when the Director of Public Works, Paul Kessler, announced at a Town Meeting that the estimated cost of the ‘projects’ on the Town Council wish list, which was to be paid for by that $50 million non-resident approved bond, was closer to $100 million. How does Winfield and crew, make a $50 million error on a $50 million bond? The answer to that question is simple. It’s fiscal irresponsibility!!

I have spent a great deal of time examining the Oro Valley proposed FY 2023/2024 revenue budget. It’s available on the Town website for all to see.

Here are some direct quotes from the Revenue Summary: 

“Local sales tax is expected to show gains over the FY 22/23budget, but a slight decline when compared to with the FY 22/23 actual revenue.”
Translation: Our sales tax revenue is going down

“This is largely attributable to construction sales tax, as permitting activity has slowed from the highs we saw during the COVID -19 pandemic.”
Translation: We are building fewer homes. Where have you heard that before? Yours truly!!! 

“The Town is projecting 119 single family residential (SFR) permits for FY 23/24 compared to the 171 SFR permits budgeted for FY 22/23. Commercial development revenues are expected to decrease based on projected building activity.”

Translation: “Commercial follows residential.” We have no residential growth therefore we have no commercial growth.  

Now my friends, is the 1600 hundred pound elephant in the room

The current Town Council majority has not approved a single residential development in Oro Valley (with the exception of a 64 +/- project that was already approved by Pima County before it was annexed)! No new commercial development has been approved in the same period. The exception to the latter statement is the Marketplace re-development which they gutted for no logical reason. The 2018 campaign promise of a “Moratorium on Growth”, which was later denied by Melanie Barrett, has become a reality.

From the time of Council approval, it takes an average of 3 years for projects to start generating construction sales tax. Construction sales tax is currently running about $6,000,000 a year. Translation: This Town Council majority has created an eight year void in the Construction Sales Tax pipeline. That’s $6 million a year that is going away for a minimum of 8 years. And that money is not replaceable.

Prepare yourselves for some very lean years in our immediate future if we don’t come up with a way to generate more income for the Town.

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Don Cox moved to Oro Valley in 1997.  He has served on various town committees including an extended stint as a chair and vice chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  He is a member of the Oro Valley Optimist Club and the Arizona Youth Partnership.

Council Appropriates $3.2 million More For Naranja Park Buildout

Council appropriated $3.2 million reserves for Naranja Park Buildout
On November 16, the Oro Valley town Council appropriated $3.2 million to “complete” the build out of Naranja park amenities. The approval is exactly what Town staff wanted and includes all of the value engineering changes town staff recommended.  In addition, the council earmarked $509,000 of development impact fees to cover the overrun.

Bond project items that will not be funded at the moment are detailed in our posting of November 16. These will be subject to “pay as you go” spending. 

Nicolson: Sports Tourism is "front and center"

One of the key areas considered by the Council was sports tourism. This concept was introduced to council by former Mayor Hiremath. Councilmembers Nicolson and Jones-Ivey want a world-class pump track that can be used for competition. They think that it will bring people from out of town who will stay in the hotels that have yet to be built. During the one hour discussion, Nicolson, focused only on the pump track. He spoke of nothing else. Clearly, Nicolson wants his pump track.

Musette Drive Connection from Tangerine

Barrett: Borrowing was a good deal when we did it

Vice mayor Barrett commented several times during the meeting to justify why borrowing money to finance the park was good idea. The town received a favorable interest rate on the $25 million in borrowing. The amount of funding to build out the amenities was estimated to be $33 million. Yes. The amount ballooned to well over $50 million, Barrett noted. 

Mayor Winfield claimed that there was no way to predict the overrun

According to Winfield, the original estimate was provided by an engineering firm. This is not the case. It was provided by a Parks Consultant. In addition, the council was advised on several occasion by Public Works Director Keesler that there were materials shortages and that costs were rapidly inflating. 

Solomon: Council ignored statistically valid survey regarding parks priorities

Councilmember Steve Solomon said the same thing that he has said every time this subject is on the agenda. His assertion is that the amenities that are being built don’t follow what people want because they don’t in any way sync with the statistically valid survey that the town did 18 months ago. No one asked for a skate park. Or a splash pad. Residents want trails. Solomon is correct. But that ship has sailed!

Bohen: Last election validates doing this

Councilmember Bohen pointed out that we had a recent election of four people. These are the same four people who proposed the bond. They were reelected. Obviously, the community felt they were doing the right thing.

Greene voted "no" but gave no reason

Councilmember Mo Greene did not vote for the measure. He did not state the reason why he voted “no” since he did not speak. Our guess is that he was caught off guard when Solomon voted in favor. Generally, Greene votes the way Solomon votes.

Winfield's "sleight-of-hand" succeeds

Mayor Winfield is giddy over the fact that Naranja Park is going to be completed. He achieved what former Mayors Paul Loomis and Satish Hiremath were not able to get done. Both Loomis and Hiremath proposed that the town issue bonds that would be paid via a secondary property tax.  Residents voted “no” on that. 

Winfield, on the other hand, circumvented the entire “property tax thing” by issuing a bond that will be serviced from the existing sales tax. A rather clever sleight-of-hand. Oh yes… Winfield and his council also abandoned the “pay as you go” funding for parks improvements. This is a policy that his council at one time affirmed and that all council’s have followed.  The reason that policy prevailed is that is unwise to borrow to fund “wants.”

The "thing in the punch bowl:" Town has no idea what it will cost to maintain Naranja Park

What is lost in all of this is what it is going to cost to maintain the new Naranja Park. Ongoing maintenance cost of the facility has never been considered by this Council  This despite the fact that town ordinances require estimating maintenance cost before committing to build any facility. That is simply smart fiscal management. It is important to know what it is going to cost to maintain a new facility because that cost is borne in future budgets.

Oro Valley Village Center: Tonight, Town Council Targets On Locking-In What Is Proposed

Motion to assure that the development of the Oro Valley Village Entertainment District as proposed in up next

Tonight, in special session, The Oro Valley town Council will likely reach a decision on the rezonings required to revitalize the Oro Valley Marketplace as presented by developer Town West. Last Wednesday, the Council approved two rezoning motions. These motions were approved based on what happens with the “Entertainment District.” This is a feature that will be located in a strip in the middle of the complex. It is currently zoned for natural open space. 

The “Entertainment District” is central to the deal

Rezoning the Entertainment District was the third of the four rezoning requests. The developer wants the Town Council to approve what they see as a simple rezoning: Rezoning the property from natural open space to recreational open space. 

The Council did not see it as a simple a decision. This is because the developer has told them that everything that they approve could change if the Entertainment District, as the developer has presented, does not come to fruition.

It is critical for developer to get this approval because this will allow the developer to use that land to satisfy the town’s zoning recreational requirements for the apartments that are planned to be built.

Town West seeks a “Public-Private Partnership” for the “Entertainment District”

It is possible that the Entertainment District won’t come into existence as presented because the developer wants the town to invest in it. Town West has proposed a “Public-Private Partnership” under which the town would pay for part of the Entertainment District and  also the maintenance of it. Some have estimated that the building cost to the town of the partnership could be up to $10 million. This will be a substantial expenditure, especially given that the town is faced with a massive overrun on the cost of building out Naranja Park.

Millions on the table

At risk, in all of this, is what the developer asserts is a significant major financial impact on the town and the county (panel right).

Thus, getting the Entertainment District “figured out” and “agreed-upon” is very important, because it is the lynchpin of this entire OVVC project.

The partnership would be codified in an economic development agreement. There is no such agreement today. Given the tens of millions that the town is now investing in parks and recreation facilities, there is a question of how much more investment the town should make.

The motion at hand provides certainty for all parties

Knowing all this, Vice Mayor Barrett proposed a motion to move the project forward, but at the same time, to specify exactly what the conditions are for the building of the project. A decision on this motion should be made tonight.

Here is the essence of the motion:

• Requires that a mixed-use facility be built on the Entertainment District; and that that mixed use must include a hotel
• The hotel must receive a certificate of occupancy before apartments in the Village district are occupied
• The Entertainment District must be built before occupancy of any apartments (because the entertainment district is going to be used to satisfy the apartment requirement for recreational space. The same is not required of hotels.)
• The amenities that will be in the Entertainment District will be determined based on a public participation process. The amenities so determined must be approved by Town Council.

The motion also defines specific maximum heights of apartments in the various areas of OVVC.

Essentially, the motion places the Entertainment District at the center of the construction of the revitalized Marketplace. Town West has emphasized the Entertainment District in all presentations to the Town Council. Town West said that the Entertainment District would be the most distinguishing feature of the Oro Valley Village Center and that it would be a draw to bring the community together. Thus, it is an essential part of the future success of OVVC. Barrett, through this motion, wants to make sure it happens.

The special session tonight is 6 PM in the Oro Valley Town Council Chambers.

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