Council Approves Limited Water Rate Increase For Oro Valley Water Customers.

Council approves limited water rate increase
Last week, The Oro Valley Town Council approved a potable water base rate increase. The increase applies only to drinking water base rates. It does not increase potable water commodity rates, groundwater preservation fees, reclaimed water base rates, or reclaimed water commodity rates. The increase takes effect July 4 and will first appear on August water bills.

Most customers will pay $1.86 more per month
For the typical customer with a 5/8-inch meter using 7,000 gallons per month, the water portion of the bill will increase from $51.45 to $53.31. That is an increase of $1.86 per month, or 3.6%. Water Utility Director Peter Abraham told council that about 84% of Oro Valley Water Utility customers have a 5/8-inch meter. 

Only the base rate is increasing
Abraham said the utility normally tries to balance increases between the base rate and the commodity rate. This year, however, staff recommended a base-rate-only increase because the utility needs more certain revenue. Commodity revenue can vary depending on water use and weather. A wet year could reduce water sales and make it harder for the utility to meet revenue requirements.

Higher operating costs are driving the increase
Staff said drinking water costs are rising by about $900,000, or 5.94%. The increases include personnel, operations and maintenance, power, CAP delivery, CAP wheeling, and Northwest Recharge, Recovery and Delivery System costs. Abraham said the utility offset part of that increase through reduced capital spending, lower debt paid by rates, and no added staff. Those actions produced about $450,000 in savings.

Renewable water costs are becoming a bigger factor
In response to questions from Mayor Joe Winfield, Abraham said most of the operating cost increase is tied to renewable water supplies. He said CAP wheeling, CAP delivery, and NWRRDS costs account for roughly 64% to 65% of the increase. Abraham also told council that Oro Valley is preparing for a possible 20% cut in its CAP allocation beginning in January. He said that would not reduce the amount of CAP water delivered to customers, but it would reduce the amount of CAP water the utility can store.

Council supports smaller annual adjustments
Council Member Mary Murphy, who serves as council liaison to the Water Utility Commission, praised staff and the commission for bringing forward smaller annual increases rather than waiting until a larger increase is needed. Abraham said his goal is to keep future annual increases in the 3% to 5% range, depending on costs and utility finances. 

Council approved the rate increase unanimously, 7-0.

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Bits and Pieces

Call it like it is: Staff badly missed this year's construction sales tax estimate

Staff presented the Town’s March financial update at Wednesday’s council meeting. There is really nothing new to report beyond what LOVE told you in March. The Town budgeted about $5.1 million in construction-related sales tax revenue for the year. The March update now estimates the year-end total at about $2.6 million. That is a shortfall of about $2.5 million, or nearly 49% below budget. This is a huge forecasting error that should have been avoidable.

Staff blamed the missed forecast on two projects: A later-than-expected start for the Oro Valley Marketplace hotel and a Vistoso Golf Club apartment development that has yet to happen.

This raises a fair question: How could staff miss the timing of these projects so badly? Town staff reviews development plans, processes approvals, and issues permits. Staff knows how long the process takes. Thus, staff knows when major projects are likely to start. Staff should have known the timing of these projects.

This mistake matters because some council candidates are pointing to the revenue shortfall as evidence that the Town is not fiscally sustainable. We disagree. The mistake is evidence of something else. Town staff needs to be challenged more closely when it provides financial results and budget forecasts to the council. That is the job of the town manager. If he fails to do it, then it is up to the council to be the backstop.

Council approves Operation Stonegarden agreement

Last night, the Town Council approved a resolution allowing Police Chief Kara Riley to sign a subrecipient agreement with the Arizona Department of Homeland Security for Operation Stonegarden funding. The agreement provides up to $143,000 for Oro Valley Police Department overtime and mileage for deployments with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This resolution follows a May council action approving Stonegarden funding for equipment. Together, the grants continue OVPD’s participation in the regional law enforcement program. Staff says the program works with other local agencies and the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector to reduce crime, improve quality of life, and target smugglers involved in human trafficking, illegal contraband, and other threats. The funding is reimbursement-based.

Council renews inmate housing agreement

Also last night, the council approved an annual intergovernmental agreement with Pima County for the housing of Oro Valley municipal prisoners at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex. State law requires cities and towns to pay for incarceration costs when prisoners are held on municipal court charges. Under the agreement, Pima County will charge Oro Valley $527.42 for booking, intake, and the first day of housing. Each additional billable day will cost $134.76. The agreement runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The town’s recommended FY 2026-27 budget includes $175,000 for prisoner custody, which staff expects will be sufficient.

Council approves Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride agreement

And last night, the council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Regional Transportation Authority for Oro Valley’s Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride service. The service provides free, door-to-door transportation in designated areas, with service for the general public, seniors 65 and older, and ADA-certified riders. Staff said the service has operated in partnership with the RTA for more than 15 years and provided nearly 68,000 passenger trips in FY 2025. Ridership is expected to exceed 74,000 trips in FY 2026. The new agreement reflects the voter-approved RTA Next plan and runs through June 2031. For FY 2027, the estimated service cost is about $2.5 million. The RTA is projected to reimburse about $2.4 million. The Town’s estimated share is $113,000.

Council extends police radio maintenance agreement

And finally last night, the council approved a first amendment to the Town’s agreement with Pima County for Pima County Wireless Integrated Network subscriber services. The agreement provides repair and maintenance services for radios used by the Oro Valley Police Department. The original agreement was approved in 2021 and was set to end in June 2026. The amendment extends the agreement for five more years, through June 2031, with the option for another five-year renewal. The updated agreement covers 312 OVPD radios, including 162 mobile radios, 148 portable radios, and two control stations. The annual preventive maintenance cost is $9,360, or $46,800 over five years. Staff says the related expenses are included in the current budget and the recommended FY 2026-27 budget. 

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Oro Valley Town Council To Set 2027 $128 Million Expenditure Limit Tonight

 $128 million limit
Council will decide on the 2027 expenditure limitation at tonight’s council meeting. The tentative budget now before council is about $128 million. That is about $2.1 million less than the town manager's initial recommendation. The limit matters because spending next year cannot exceed it. Council may approve a final budget below that amount, but not above it.

No much has changed from our previous reports

LOVE has previously discussed the 2027 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget in four articles. The first article focused on revenue and forecasting variables. The second focused on where the money would be spent. The third focused on personnel spending. The fourth provided council and mayoral candidates reaction to the budget.

Tentative budget is $2.1 million lower than the Town Manager’s recommendation
The latest budget is about $2.1 million less than the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget. The reduction is mostly because several project costs were refined after the May budget presentation. Bridge and transit-related spending was reduced or moved to reflect local match amounts rather than full project costs. That accounts for most of the reduction.

Smaller changes were made to personnel estimates, legal services, and stormwater projects. Stormwater funding increased for the Catalina Ridge Channel Modification project and a new Nanini Wash erosion mitigation project. These changes reduce the proposed expenditure limitation from about $130 million to about $128 million.

Budget still maintains current service levels
Much has not changed from the budget LOVE previously reviewed. The budget remains focused on current services, not major service expansion. Staff says the tentative budget maintains current service levels, provides eligible employees up to a 3% pay increase, and continues investments in infrastructure, employees, and Town operations.

While spending significant funds on capital projects
The proposed Capital Improvement Plan totals about $24.2 million. That is about 19% of the tentative budget. The result of this spending is a net drawdown of about $13.1 million in total fund balances. The drawdown reflects money accumulated or borrowed for some key projects that will be completed done in 2027. Examples include $6 million for NWRRDS water resource capital work, which follows prior utility financing for that multi-year project; about $2 million for the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Pond; $1 million for police headquarters planning and development; and about $676,000 for the Tangerine Road/Mussette Drive traffic signal. 

Budget vote on June 17
Tonight’s vote does not adopt the final budget. It sets the maximum expenditure limitation for FY 2026/27. Council is scheduled to hold the final budget public hearing and consider final budget adoption on June 17. That will also be a public hearing.

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Update: The council unanimously approved the limit. In addition, in response to a question from Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett, Gephardt said that the use of fund balance is primarily for carryover capital projects that started this year but will not be completed until next year. He also said the Town is “not tapping general fund reserves yet.”  

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Are Oro Valley Revenues Keeping Pace With Spending? A Look At The Numbers

How do revenues and expenditures track?
Questions about whether Oro Valley revenues are keeping pace with spending have surfaced during recent budget discussions and in this year’s election season. 

It is a simple question with a complicated answer

The Town operates through roughly fifteen different funds. These include the General Fund, Water Utility Fund, Highway Fund, Capital Fund, Community Center Fund, and others. They serve different purposes and receive money from different sources. The General Fund, however, is the Town’s largest operating fund, containing about 54% of Oro Valley’s FY2027 budgeted revenues. Because discussions about revenues and spending generally concern the Town’s core governmental operations, LOVE focused primarily on that fund.

The Town’s operating fund,  the General Fund, has consistently covered the town's operating costs
The General Fund finances many of the Town’s core services, including police, administration, parks, planning, and portions of public works. Using the Town’s ten year history, current year estimate, FY2027 recommended budget, and latest five year forecast, operating revenues exceed operating expenditures in every year. Under that measure, revenues have consistently kept pace with operating costs.

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And met an even broader set of commitments over the years
The General Fund, however, does more than pay day to day operating costs. It also funds some capital projects, debt obligations, and transfers to other activities. When those commitments are included, the picture becomes tighter. The FY2027 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget projects approximately $59.3 million in General Fund revenues compared with roughly $60.7 million in total General Fund obligations, including operating spending, transfers, debt support, and other commitments. That difference contributes to a projected decline in General Fund balance. However, the Town does not expect that pattern to continue indefinitely. In later years of the five year forecast, revenues are projected to again exceed broader obligations.

While maintaining at least a 25% reserve level

Even with the projected decline, the Town is not forecasting reserves below its adopted policy minimum. The FY2027 recommended budget projects an ending General Fund balance of about $13.8 million. That remains above the Town’s required 25% reserve threshold. The Town’s five year forecast likewise projects reserves remaining at or above the adopted 25% policy level throughout the forecast period.

All of which has required careful financial management
Our reading of the numbers is not that Oro Valley faces a financial crisis. Rather, the numbers suggest that the Town will need careful financial management during the next several years. Choices will need to be made regarding capital spending, spending priorities, and finding ways to reduce operating costs. That is not unusual. Town staff has never received every dollar requested for projects or spending.

The question going forward is not whether Oro Valley revenues are keeping pace expenditures because they are...The question is how well Council and staff can manage competing priorities within a tighter financial environment. 

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Note: Data compiled for this analysis came from multiple Town of Oro Valley financial sources, including ten comprehensive annual financial reports, a town staff March FY2026 General Fund estimate, the FY2027 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget as initially submitted, the FY2027 Capital Improvement Program that is in that budget and town staff's most recent five year General Fund forecast. LOVE reconciled these sources to develop the analysis used in this article.

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Bits and Pieces

County outlines eviction assistance program
On May 20, Pima County staff presented the Emergency Eviction Legal Services, EELS, program to the Oro Valley Town Council. The program provides legal assistance, rental aid, shelter access, rehousing help, and job referrals for tenants facing eviction. Since its creation in 2021, the County reports that 3,725 households have received legal services, 3,500 have received rental assistance, and more than 80% of households leaving emergency shelter moved to positive housing destinations. Annual program costs include about $1.8 million for rental assistance and $400,000 for legal services. Most program clients, about 80%, live within the City of Tucson.

Indoor recreation center proposal being considered at Suffolk and Oracle

A proposed commercial project near the northeast corner of Suffolk Drive and Oracle Road would bring a roughly 25,000 square foot family recreation center, restaurant, and retail space to the site. According to Town materials, the proposal includes an indoor Kids That Rip (KTR) action sports facility featuring trampolines, sport courts, obstacle courses, and other family recreation uses. The project requires rezoning from Residential Service, R-S, to Neighborhood Commercial, C-N, along with a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 25,000 square foot single tenant family recreation center that exceeds the zoning code’s standard 5,000 square foot tenant limit. The project underwent a March neighborhood meeting that, according to Town staff, generated a mix of resident support and concerns, including questions about traffic, drainage, flooding, noise, and neighborhood compatibility. Some residents supported having a local indoor family recreation option. The company has six locations in the Phoenix area.  (Project details)

OVPD reports: Some e-bikes may be considered motorcycles under Arizona Law

The May/June OVPD CrimeFighter newsletter says officers are seeing a “significant increase” in juveniles operating electric dirt bikes and other non street legal vehicles on Oro Valley roads and multi use paths. The department warned parents that some high powered vehicles marketed as e-bikes, including certain Surron, Talaria, and similar models, may legally qualify as motorcycles under Arizona law, requiring registration, insurance, and a motorcycle endorsement. OVPD said illegally operated vehicles may be stopped and impounded. 

Oro Valley Resident Tim Tarris Leaves Monday on 48 State "Jenny Flight" For Air Corps Centennial

Retired pilot plans 48 state flight
Oro Valley resident Tim Tarris is a retired military and airline pilot. Monday, Tarris will fly a replica World War I era Jenny aircraft through 48 states, crossing the country at about 60 to 65 miles per hour in an open cockpit aircraft that flies low, only in daylight, and only in good weather. He plans to conclude the trip at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia on July 1, 2026.

The flight commemorates the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Built the Jenny over seven months
Tarris tells us that the aircraft took about seven months to build from a kit with help from eight to ten people. The replica uses a 100 horsepower Rotax engine, cruises at about 65 miles per hour, and has a maximum gross weight of 1,250 pounds.

A very different kind of flying
This is not a modern aircraft. Tarris describes it as extremely small, with an open cockpit and room for only the pilot. It is so small that he has to crawl into the cockpit from the back. And, there is not room for movement when he gets there.  He will fly under visual flight rules only as the plane has no lights and is intended for daytime flying. Tarris said weather will be one of the biggest challenges of the cross country trip.

Long aviation career
An Ohio native and graduate of Capital University, Tarris entered aviation through Air Force ROTC. During a 30 year military career, he flew the F-111, A-7, and F-16. He later worked as an airline pilot and is a commercial and instrument rated pilot, flight instructor, author, Experimental Aircraft Association member, and Daedalian.

Personal motivation behind the project
In discussing the project, Tarris said the flight is about more than aviation history. He spoke about losing friends and relatives over the years and wanting to pursue meaningful goals while he can: “I’m living for the right now,” he said during an interview about the effort.

Honoring aviation history
The commemorative flight is centered on the historic Curtiss JN “Jenny,” which served as a primary military trainer during World War I. Project materials state that the return of a Jenny style aircraft to Langley is intended to honor the men and women who have served the nation’s military aviation mission over the past century.

Follow Tim's flight on FlightAware. The plane tail number is 522VT.

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Vistoso Marketplace Concept Reopens Woodburne...Rancho Vistoso ... Tangerine Traffic Discussion

Study session links roadway safety and possible new marketplace
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council held a study session on one of the Town’s more difficult traffic areas: the area around Woodburne Avenue, Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, the Safeway northern access, and Tangerine Road. Public Works Director Paul Keesler told council that the Safeway northern access and the Woodburne Avenue/Rancho Vistoso Boulevard intersection have about five to six crashes a year. He said that number has long concerned the Town.

Roadway discussion reminds all of Avilla-era traffic concerns

The last major council discussion of this area occurred during the 2024 review of the Avilla Homes proposal. That proposal was not approved after residents and council members raised traffic and roadway concerns. Last week’s discussion brought back many of those same issues. They included traffic near the Safeway northern access, left turns onto and off Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, the possible use of the Safeway rear access area, the location of a new traffic signal, and traffic backing into travel lanes. 

A 2027 lane and roadway reconfiguration plan...

The Town’s current plan is in the 2027 budget. It is to reconfigure the lanes, increase left-turn storage, and to rebuild the median between Woodburne Avenue and the Safeway northern access. One day, the town would like to add a traffic signal there. Staff said the lane changes would address many existing crash factors. Staff also said a future signal would address the remaining safety issues by controlling left turns and reducing the need for U-turns at Woodburne Avenue. Staff identified about $747,000 in impact-fee funding for lane reconfiguration in the proposed capital improvement plan.

...Paused to consider impact of "Vistoso Marketplace"
Staff was planning this work when they learned of a possible commercial project on the southwest corner of Rancho Vistoso Boulevard and Woodburne Road. It is called Vistoso Marketplace. The concept for includes a Sprouts Farmers Market as the anchor tenant, a retail building, and possible pad uses on the south side of the property. 

The project will affect traffic in the area because it will add new commercial activity near an intersection already under review for safety concerns. The project has not yet been submitted as a formal development application. It remains in the early stages. It is being proposed by W.M. Grace Companies.

Residents echo concerns... "Though we're happy with Sprouts..."
Mayor Winfield took the unusual step of accepting audience comments when the study session discussion began. Several residents spoke. Their comments echoed many of the concerns raised years earlier in  the Avilla Homes review. They questioned why the item was being discussed before a formal application had been filed. They also urged the Town to consider the full traffic effect of the project and future development in the area before deciding on roadway changes. One resident captured the reaction, saying, “Sprouts, hey, we love Sprouts,” but adding that the full shopping center puts the matter “into a whole different ballgame.”

Key decisions remain ahead
Council did not approve the Vistoso Marketplace project. It did not approve the planned road design. It did not approve a new traffic signal. This was an early discussion of how the Town might address an existing traffic safety problem while also planning for possible commercial development at the same intersection. The central question going forward is whether the Town can improve safety and traffic flow in an area that already has problems, while also accounting for a commercial project that has not yet been formally submitted for review.

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Council Scales Back Town's Tourism Master Plan

Council approves a modified plan
Last Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council approved a modified version of the Town’s Leisure Travel Destination Management Plan by a 6-1 vote. The approval excluded Section 5, “Big Ideas and Action Plans,” except for the Tohono Chul expansion concept. Council also added language stating that approving the plan does not authorize projects, capital spending, staffing increases, policy changes, or implementation actions without future council approval. In other words, any actions will have to come before council during a budget approval process.

What council "approved"
The plan is intended as a 10-year roadmap for leisure tourism in Oro Valley. It focuses on generating tourism tied to outdoor recreation, wellness, arts, culture, dining, sports, and community events , It does not focus on building business travel or convention activity. The plan recommends a regional events and festivals strategy to address summer seasonality, increasing sports tourism and evaluating additional sports facilities, activating Steam Pump Ranch as a cultural and culinary venue, creating themed visitor itineraries and trail guides, expanding boutique and wellness lodging options, and establishing resident tourism sentiment tracking and additional performance measures.

Staff presented economic scenarios

As part of its presentation, staff showed example first year scenarios for selected recommendations. A regional events and festivals strategy assumed 5,000 additional Tucson visitors spending $50 per day and 1,000 Phoenix visitors spending $100 per day, producing an estimated $325,000 in economic activity and about $4,000 in Town bed and sales taxes. A sports tourism example modeled a small regional market capture with visitors staying three days, producing an estimated $520,000 in economic activity and about $6,500 in Town taxes. Other examples included a Steam Pump Ranch strategy estimated at $150,000 in revenue activity and about $1,900 in Town taxes, and a culinary tourism scenario estimated at $400,000 in activity and about $10,000 in taxes.

Why this matters

The purpose of the Town’s tourism strategy is to attract additional visitors who spend money in Oro Valley, generating economic activity, supporting local businesses, and increasing Town tax revenues. As part of that effort, the Town recently reported estimated economic impacts of nine selected FY2025-26 tourism events. Staff discussed these at last week's Tourism Advisory Commission Meeting.  The events ranged from major events such as the Legendary Women’s Cup and Tucson Marathon to smaller festivals and community events. Together, staff estimated that these events generated $3 million to $4 million in economic activity. LOVE translated those figures into approximate Town revenue impacts using Oro Valley tax rates and also analyzed the reported hotel room activity tied to several events. See the above panel for those calculations, including estimated bed and sales tax impacts, and for an explanation of how the Town says tourism event impacts are calculated.

Process has been underway for months
The plan  cost the town $150,000.  It has gone through months of review involving staff, the Tourism Advisory Commission, and council discussions. Staff described the plan as a community-based framework shaped through research, stakeholder engagement, resident surveys, and tourism analysis intended to guide future tourism-related decisions.

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Bits and Pieces

No Turn On Red

There is one traffic light intersection in Oro Valley where drivers are not allowed to make a right turn on red. Can you guess which one it is?  It is the intersection of Tangerine Road and Oracle Road, specifically for traffic heading eastbound on Tangerine and turning southbound onto Oracle. Lieutenant Eric Larter of the Oro Valley Police Department told LOVE that the “No Turn on Red” restriction for eastbound Tangerine Road turning southbound onto Oracle Road exists because Oracle has a 55 mph speed limit at that location and southbound drivers come over a crest just north of the intersection before heading downhill toward Oro Valley Marketplace. According to Larter, the restriction is intended to reduce the risk of collisions between high speed southbound traffic and vehicles accelerating from a stop on Tangerine. He also noted that quite a few drivers attempt the turn and that officers often stop motorists there simply to educate them about the restriction and signage.

Memorial Day remembrance Monday

A Memorial Day remembrance ceremony is planned for Monday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park. The event will honor the men and women who gave their lives in military service to the nation. The event is hosted by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 132 and Arizona Heroes Memorial.

🎈🎈🎈Congratulations: CDO Softball wins State Championship

Canyon Del Oro High School softball captured the AIA 4A state championship Monday, earning the program’s 10th state title, its first since 2017. The championship run required winning five straight games in a 16 team tournament that began May 2, a feat only one team can achieve. CDO dominated early, shutting out opponents in its first three games, then won its final two contests by one run. The accomplishment is particularly notable because the team’s pitcher, Savanna Mares, is a freshman. Mares was a key force in the 2026 season, compiling a 21-6 record in a year that included a perfect game with 20 strikeouts. Congratulations as well to CDO Coach Kelly Fowler and the entire Dorados team on another state title. The 2026 championship run was powered by a freshman standout, a team that hit when it mattered, and a coach who knows how to win. (Assist from All Sports Tucson)

Explore Oro Valley tourism website launches today

Oro Valley’s new destination marketing website, ExploreOroValley.com will launch today after 11 a.m., according to Destination Marketing Manager Crystal Frank. It was presented to council Wednesday.  The site is the culmination of roughly a year of work. It is intended to support tourism, community awareness, and local business visibility. Frank described it as more than a website, calling it a new destination identity for Oro Valley. The site includes interactive features for events, dining, outdoor recreation, arts, lodging, trip planning, and mobile use, along with a new tourism focused brand and logo system separate from the Town’s official seal and logo. The branding and website effort cost about $175,000, according to Economic Development Director Paul Melcher.

Water customers will need to switch usage tracking apps on June 30

Oro Valley water customers who use the Town’s WaterSmart portal to monitor water use will need to move to a new platform called SpryPoint beginning June 30. According to Town Manager Jeff Wilkins, current WaterSmart users will need to register again and reenter their information in the new system. The change primarily affects customers who actively track their household water use.

Golder Ranch highlights fall prevention app NYMBL

Golder Ranch Fire District is encouraging residents to consider using the NYMBL balance training app, a mobile program designed to help reduce the risk of falls. According to Golder Ranch Fire District materials, the app combines balance exercises with cognitive training activities intended to improve stability, coordination, reaction time, and confidence during everyday movement. The district’s materials state that the program is aimed primarily at older adults and can be completed in about 10 minutes a day using a smartphone or tablet.

Council approves Sun City fountain

The Oro Valley Town Council voted 6–1 Wednesday to allow restoration of the Lion’s Head fountain at the Sun City Oro Valley Recreation Center in Rancho Vistoso. The action approved a site specific zoning amendment allowing the ornamental fountain to return. A council decision on this was needed because Town code prohibits new ornamental fountains. Supporters argued the redesigned fountain would use substantially less water and include conservation features such as rainwater harvesting. Opponents cited drought concerns, water conservation policy, and the precedent of granting an exception. Councilmember Joyce Jones Ivey cast the lone dissenting vote. Readers interested in the background and arguments on both sides can review LOVE’s earlier article on the proposal.  

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Rockin’ 4 Heroes Backs Law Enforcement Education With New Support Fund

Rockin’ 4 Heroes To Help Law Enforcement Officers Pursue Continuing Education
Law enforcement officers across Southern Arizona working to advance their careers through continuing education and training now have a new source of support. A newly established program from Rockin’ 4 Heroes is providing financial assistance to help officers pursue their educational goals.

The Law Enforcement Support Fund is open to active duty officers enrolled in educational programs that enhance their professional growth, whether working toward an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, leadership development, or specialized advanced certifications.

“This Law Enforcement Support Fund is just one way for us to show how much we appreciate and recognize the men and women in blue who selflessly serve and protect our community,” said Bonnie Quinn, who, along with her husband, Michael, founded Rockin’ 4 Heroes six years ago.

First awards presented to six Oro Valley police officers
In a pilot program last year, Rockin’ 4 Heroes awarded grants to six officers from the Oro Valley Police Department.

“Rockin’ 4 Heroes’ commitment to helping first responders pursue their goals is inspiring. This scholarship not only eases the financial burden, it also motivates me to continue working hard and giving back to the community,” said Zachary Young, Commander, Field Services Division, Oro Valley Police Department, and a 2025 grant recipient who completed his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice this month.

Kara Riley, Chief of Police for the Oro Valley Police Department, added: “I am grateful to Rockin’ 4 Heroes for their generous grants that enable first responders to further their educational goals, allowing future opportunities and personal growth that will benefit them in their current roles and future endeavors.”

Nominations deadline is June 30, 2026
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of individual officers by their supervisors in an email to Bonnie@Rockin4Heroes.org. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2026.

Rockin’ 4 Heroes was established to honor first responders, active military, veterans, and Gold Star families. In addition to the Law Enforcement Support Fund, the organization supports initiatives that benefit these heroes and their families, including the Rockin’ 4 Heroes Jacob Dindinger EMT Scholarship at Pima Community College and the Rockin’ 4 Heroes Veteran Student Endowment at the University of Arizona.

The nonprofit celebrates and publicly honors these groups through its signature event, the annual Rockin’ 4 Heroes Concert, one of Southern Arizona’s largest free outdoor concerts. The 6th annual community event is Sunday, November 8, at James D. Kriegh Park in Oro Valley. For more information, visit www.Rockin4Heroes.org.

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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.”

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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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2027 TMRB: Personnel Spending Mirrors Overall Town Spending, Essential Services Take Priority

This is the third LOVE’s article on the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget. First,  we focused on six key revenue and forecasting variables that could determine whether the budget succeeds financially during the coming year. Last week, we focus on spending, identify spending by service provided by the town. Our coverage today is about personnel.

Personnel costs account for one third of the budget
Personnel costs are planned to be approximately $44.7 million in FY 2026/27. That represents about 34% of the Town’s total $130 million budget. It also represents roughly one half of Town operating spending after removing capital improvement spending, contingency, and debt service from the total budget.

No new full time positions are proposed
This year, the Town plans to maintain personnel levels at essentially prior year levels, with no new full time positions proposed. In addition, total personnel spending is expected to remain essentially flat despite police pay increases required under the MOU approved in February, a 3% increase for eligible non-sworn employees, higher healthcare costs resulting from increased claims experience, and the Town maintaining current PSPRS employer contribution rates even though actuaries recommended lower contribution levels. Staff stated that maintaining contribution rates at current levels will allow the Town to continue its policy of fully funding its police pension liability.

Lower police pension payments help offset pay and benefit increases
A logical question is how the Town can absorb pay raises and higher healthcare costs while keeping overall personnel spending flat. One factor is an approximately $1.5 million reduction in excess PSPRS pension contributions compared with the current year budget. In addition, several vacant or temporary positions are being eliminated or left unfunded, turnover in some departments is lowering salary costs, and no new full time staffing is being added.

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Staff noted that actuarial recommendations would have allowed the Town to lower its PSPRS contribution rates next year, but the Town instead chose to hold contribution rates steady to continue fully funding its police pension obligations.

Essential services account for most staffing and personnel spending
In LOVE’s operating cost budget analysis last week, we noted that 57% of operations spending is concentrated in essential services: Public Safety, Public Works, and Water. One would expect personnel staffing and personnel costs to follow the same pattern. They do. Essential services account for approximately 65% of all Town staffing and about 71% of projected personnel spending in the proposed FY 2026/27 budget. All other departments combined account for the remaining 35% of staffing and 29% of personnel costs.

Parks and Recreation staffing has nearly tripled in ten years
As we noted last week, Parks and Recreation spending has grown substantially over the past ten years. Staffing growth has been equally significant, and that does not include golf course personnel employed by the Town’s golf operator. In FY 2016/17, Parks and Recreation had about 24 employees, representing roughly 6% of all Town staffing. The proposed FY 2026/27 budget includes 69 employees in Parks and Recreation, about 16% of all Town staffing. That is an increase of nearly 190% over ten years, while overall Town staffing grew only modestly during the same period.

Personnel spending reflects current service priorities
Overall, the proposed FY 2026/27 personnel budget reflects a continuation of the Town’s recent approach of limiting staffing growth while maintaining existing service levels. The budget concentrates most staffing and personnel spending in core operational services such as public safety, public works, and water operations, while also reflecting the Town’s expanded role over the past decade in parks, recreation, golf, and community facility operations.

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Next Up: Tomorrow.. Read what council candidates think of the budget!

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Council Approves OVPath Forward General For November Vote

Residents strongly supported the process
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council voted unanimously to place the Oro Valley Path Forward General Plan on the November ballot. The vote followed a public hearing, staff presentation, and nearly 42 minutes of council discussion. Most resident speakers supported both the process and the final draft. Several praised Principal Planner Milini Sims, Bayer Vella, and Rene Olvera for managing what staff described as the Town’s largest public engagement effort for any project.

More than 10,700 resident comments shaped the plan
Staff said the plan was based on more than 10,700 resident comments gathered over roughly three years. Input came through surveys, meetings, working groups, online discussions, and public events. Sims told council the final version remained very similar to the previously reviewed 60 percent and 90 percent drafts. She said there were no significant directional changes from earlier versions reviewed by council and residents.

Speaker recalled earlier General Plan controversy
Resident Shirl Lamona contrasted the current process with the Town’s earlier General Plan effort in the early 2000s. The 2001 General Plan update failed because significant land use changes were included in the plan. There was inadequate public vetting. It took several years, through the efforts of Oro Valley resident Bill Adler, to get it right. Lamona told council the current process was different because residents remained directly involved throughout development of the draft plan.

Council focused on wording and implementation timing
Much of the council discussion involved wording refinements and clarification of intent. Mayor Joe Winfield led much of the discussion, proposing edits intended to make portions of the document more action-oriented. Councilmember Josh Nicolson also successfully requested moving the proposed Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve restoration planning action from the three-to-six-year category into the one-to-two-year category. The change advances the timeline for a project that has already undergone years of planning, debate, redesign, and council review before reaching the current restoration phase.

Rooney Ranch amendment will update the land use map
One discussion late in the meeting clarified that the Path Forward land use map will automatically reflect the Rooney Ranch and Town Center General Plan amendment approved later that evening. Staff explained that the Path Forward map mirrors the current General Plan map, so the approved amendment will be incorporated into the version voters see in November.

Next phase focuses on voter outreach
The council approved Resolution (R)26-20 on a 6-0 vote, placing the Path Forward General Plan on the November ballot. Later this summer, staff plans to begin the “Residents Decide” phase of the process. That public information effort is expected to include roadway signs, postcards, newsletters, videos, and social media outreach. And, of course, more LOVE coverage!

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2027 TMRB: Where $130 Million Is Going To Be Spent...$74 Million On Essential Operations

This is the second of LOVE’s articles on the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget. Last week, we focused on six key revenue and forecasting variables that could determine whether the budget succeeds financially during the coming year. This week, we focus on spending: Where does the Town plan to spend the approximately $130 million budget next year?

Capital spending is the largest budget item: $26.6 million
The Town plans to spend about $26.6 million on capital projects next year, about 20% of the total budget. Finance Director David Gephart told Council the focus this year is on “established needs for the community… not a list of wants.” Much of the spending reflects projects already approved and underway. The capital plan is significantly smaller than in recent years because several major projects have already been completed.

Most capital spending is focused on water and roads
According to Finance Director Gephart, about 31% ($8.2 million) of the Town’s $26.6 million capital budget is planned for water infrastructure and another 31% ($8.2 million) for streets and roads. Parks and Recreation accounts for about 13% ($3.5 million) of planned capital spending, public facilities another 13% ($3.5 million), public safety projects about 9% ($2.4 million), and stormwater projects about 3% ($800,000).

Public safety functions total about $23.3 million

The Police Department, Town Court, and Town Attorney’s Office report directly to Council. Together, they account for about 18% of the budget. Police spending alone totals about $21.2 million. Police Chief Kara Riley told Council the proposed budget maintains current service levels and was prepared with a fiscally conservative approach. Chief Magistrate Hazel stated confidence that the court can continue operating within its proposed funding. The Town Attorney’s approximately $1 million budget was not reviewed during the study session.

The water utility represents another 13% of spending
The Water Utility operating budget totals about $17 million, roughly 13% of total spending. Unlike most Town operations, the utility is financially separate and supported through water rates and fees rather than general taxes. Water debt, including borrowing for the Northwest Recharge Recovery Delivery System project (NWRRDS), is repaid through water revenues. Those costs are not included in the operating budget. Instead, debt payments are included in Debt Service and NWRRDS construction spending is included in the CIP budget.

Public Works and Highway Operations account for about 12% of spending
Public Works and Highway Operations total about $15 million and include streets, drainage, transit, fleet maintenance, and related operations.

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Most residents consider public safety, water, and roads to be high priority essentials. This year's budget reflects that. Together, these three areas represent about 71% ($18.8 million) of the Town’s capital program and about 43% ($55.4 million) of the Town’s total planned spending next year. Combined, spending on essential services in this year's budget is $74.2 million. That's 57% of the budget.

Parks and Recreation accounts for about 13% of spending
One of the things that stands out in this budget, and in reviewing earlier Town budgets, is how much Parks and Recreation spending has grown over the past decade. Ten years ago, Parks and Recreation spending was about $2 million, accounting for roughly 2% of the Town’s approximately $92 million budget. Today, Parks and Recreation operating expenditures total about $16 million. This includes parks maintenance, recreation programming, aquatics, the Community Center, and tennis and golf operations. About $9 million of these costs are offset by user fees and related revenue, much of it from golf operations. That leaves net spending of roughly $7 million. Compared to ten years ago, that represents an increase of about 350%, equal to a compound annual growth rate of approximately 16%. (Note: Ten years ago, some park maintenance functions and related expenses were budgeted in Community Development and Public Works rather than Parks and Recreation.)

Other departments account for about 11% of spending
The remaining spending is spread among other Town functions. Information Technology totals about $5.9 million, Community and Economic Development about $4.2 million, and Town administration and other departments about $4.2 million. The balance includes Finance, Human Resources, Town Clerk functions, elections, insurance, and other support activities needed to operate the Town.

Debt service and contingency total more than $16 million
The Town plans approximately $8.7 million in debt service payments next year, along with about $7.7 million in contingency funding. Combined, those two items total more than $16 million, or approximately 13% of the total budget.  

Budget categories overlap in some areas

Exact budget by department is are is challenging because the Town budget includes fourteen separate funds. Transfers among those funds, totaling more than $14 million, make the budget difficult to follow. However, the departmental spending categories as we have presented them appear to be reasonable approximations of where the Town plans to spend its money next year. As a result, our analysis could not identify $3.3 million in spending of the $130 million total.

Next week, LOVE will take a closer look at 2027 TMRB personnel spending and staffing levels.

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Note: A Town budget chart included in the staff presentation to Council and LOVE’s chart categorize debt repayment differently. LOVE shows total debt service as a single category. The Town, however, allocated some debt repayment to the operations that incurred the debt, such as the Water Utility and Parks and Recreation. While that may be technically correct from an accounting standpoint, we believe it understates the amount being spent on debt repayment and overstates the amount that will be spent on Town operations.

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Town Council Approves "Town Center" Amendment...Limited Housing...Lots Of Open Space

Council approves two related actions
The Oro Valley Town Council voted Wednesday to approve two related actions for the Town-owned portions of the Oro Valley Town Center property near Oracle Road and Pushview Lane. Council approved a general plan amendment for part of Area 4 and a PAD rezoning amendment for portions of the former Rooney Ranch property. 

Provides for significant opens space...
According to Town staff, the approved plan increases permanent open space from 69 acres to about 88 acres, about 78 percent of the subject area. It also eliminates 77 previously approved single-family lots in Area 4 and increases the buffer to nearby El Conquistador patio homes from about 100 feet to 350 feet. Staff also said the plan reduces building heights on the Town-owned portions of the property, including removal of a previously allowed 75-foot hotel entitlement.

... and a more restricted residential housing plan
The general plan amendment was approved unanimously as presented. The PAD rezoning amendment, however, was changed during the Council meeting. It was passed 5-1. Mayor Joe Winfield amended the motion to restrict Area 3 to one- and two-story ownership townhomes. That removed the apartment option from the plan. The motion also limited linear commercial height in Area 2B to 30 feet, including architectural features.

...which means that the council left "money on the table" in order to accommodate residents
That change highlighted an issue also raised the previous night during Planning and Zoning Commission discussion. They discussed this. It was their conclusion that limiting the residential use to just town homes  could reduce the future value or marketability of the property. They also felt it was too restrictive of future council options.  Council Member Josh Nicholson echoed their thoughts regarding reducing market value. Nicolson, who owns and operates apartments, said apartments could potentially generate greater land-sale value for the Town than townhomes. He said an apartment project could produce about $5 million in taxpayer revenue, compared with “just a couple million” from townhomes.  Council Member Nicolson, however, did not agree. He was the lone no vote.

Mayor Winfield felt that trade-off was a good one...
Winfield, however, said staff had spoken with developers who expressed support for ownership townhomes. He did not address the value issue. He also said he believed that type of housing would be supported by a majority of residents. His motion made clear that he wanted a more limited residential product than the one staff had brought forward; that he placed more value on lower intensity development. 

...as most on council agreed
Though there was disagreement on this, council, nevertheless, voted unanimously to approve the motion. One member told us that "The only reason I did not push back (on Winfield's motion) what that it was a reasonable compromise. I was very happy with the fact that we were able to get almost 80% open space." 

Residents got what they wanted...lots of open space... restricted residential housing
Residents who spoke at the public hearing offered differing views. Some urged the Town to preserve the property as open space because of its scenic location and importance to the character of the area. Others supported the revised concept because it increases open space, reduces building heights, and removes the previously approved single-family lots. In the end, their views were clearly considered. Council moved the project forward, but with a more restrictive residential limit than originally proposed.
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Want to learn more? Read previously LOVE reports.

Bits and Pieces

Catalina Foothills group opposes Oro Valley annexation efforts

During the public hearing on Oro Valley’s Path Forward General Plan, this past Wednesday, Tom Pugh, speaking on behalf of the Catalina Foothills Association, urged Oro Valley officials to stop pursuing annexation efforts involving nearby unincorporated areas. Pugh said the association represents more than 1,700 homes and does not want to become part of Oro Valley. He stated that letters expressing those concerns had previously been sent to the Town and asked Council to respect the wishes of residents living in the Catalina Foothills area.

Unused Preserve funds redirected to pond irrigation and ADA trails
The Oro Valley Town Council voted Wednesday to use about $150,000 in unspent fiscal 2025-26 Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve funds, plus $50,000 from next year’s allotment, for plant and turf irrigation in the pond area as part of the pond restoration project. Council also approved use of a $136,210 Arizona State Parks grant for ADA trails in the same area. Supporters said doing the irrigation work now, while the pond is being built, would be more cost effective and would make it easier to complete other improvements later. 

Council approves Stonegarden Grant funds for police night vision equipment
Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council unanimously approved participation in the Operation Stonegarden grant program, authorizing the Police Chief to enter into an agreement with the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to receive up to $38,808 for equipment. The funding will be used by the Oro Valley Police Department to purchase night vision goggles to support regional law enforcement efforts, including coordinated deployments with U.S. Border Patrol aimed at reducing human trafficking, smuggling, and related criminal activity. The grant is reimbursable and tied to specific federal requirements, with the equipment intended to enhance officer effectiveness in targeted operations.

Town extends agreement with Pima County for animal control services

Also Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council approved a one year extension of its intergovernmental agreement with Pima County for animal control services, continuing the current arrangement from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The agreement does not include a direct contract payment amount. The service model is based on Pima County retaining licensing fee revenues and covering remaining costs through its own general fund, with no change to the existing terms. The extension allows Pima County to continue enforcing local animal control ordinances and providing sheltering and care services within Oro Valley. During public comment, one resident urged the Town to seek stronger enforcement response provisions for neighborhood complaints involving pet waste and animal control issues.

Town terminates contract legal services to consolidate under Town Attorney 

The Oro Valley Town Council approved termination of its contract with Mesch Clark Rothschild for Town Attorney services, following the establishment of an in house Town Attorney position, currently held by Steven Zraick. The change reflects a shift to consolidate legal services under a single office that reports directly to Council. According to the staff report, maintaining both a contract attorney and an in house Town Attorney created potential confusion over roles, raised ethical concerns about who provides legal advice, and could result in unnecessary costs. The contract termination was made by mutual consent and allows the Town to streamline how legal services are delivered going forward.

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What Council's Approval Of The Trails Connect Study Means To You

Eighteen months in the making
On April 22, the Town Council voted 7–0 to adopt the OV Trails Connect Trails and Paths Master Plan, completing a year and a half planning effort. The plan reflects input from residents, trail users, and stakeholder groups gathered through surveys, trailside meetings, and workshops. The Council’s action adopts the plan as a guide for trails improvement and development for the next ten years. Funding will be considered over time as part of the town's annual budget process. (See LOVE previous reports)

Focuses on improving what residents already use
The plan covers a system that includes more than 100 miles of paved and unpaved routes. It focuses on maintaining these trails, not on building new ones. For example, it addresses pavement issues on multi use paths along roads like Tangerine, La Cañada, and Naranja, improves safety at crossings, and fixes problem areas such as erosion, washouts, and blind corners on both paved and unpaved routes. It also introduces better ways for users to report issues so they can be tracked and resolved more consistently.

Closes gaps and extending key routes
The plan identifies several connectivity improvements. These include extending multi use paths along major corridors, most notably a continuous path along Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, and working with regional partners on a new northern extension of The Loop. The previous route was found not viable, so a new alignment will need to be determined. The goal is to make it easier to travel across Town by bike or on foot without using streets.

Changes include Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve
At the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve, the plan calls for improving the existing paved path system, increasing access for users of all abilities, and adding clearer wayfinding and etiquette signage. These are the types of changes that would affect how residents move through and use one of the Town’s most heavily used trail areas.

Recognizes and manages well used dirt trails
The plan specifically addresses unpaved trails in areas such as Big Wash, Honey Bee Canyon, and Panorama Trails. Many of these routes have been used for years but are not formally designated. The plan proposes formally recognizing these routes, improving access, and adding signage to define trailheads and connections, while coordinating with State Land and regional partners where they extend beyond Town boundaries.

Creates better signage and navigation throughout town
Residents will see more consistent signage across the system, including directional signs, trailhead markers, and maps. The plan also calls for digital maps and tools that allow users to locate routes, understand connections, and even report maintenance issues. These changes are intended to make the entire system easier to use, especially for new or occasional users.

Watch for changes over time
The impact of this plan depends on what the Council funds each year. Early changes are likely to be smaller, such as improved signage, better trail access, and maintenance of existing paths. Larger projects, like extending multi use paths or adding connections to The Loop, will take more time and coordination with other agencies. Many improvements, especially on unpaved trails, will depend on partnerships and volunteer support. Over time, the plan provides a way to make steady improvements, with each year’s budget determining what residents see next.

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