Oro Valley: A Year of Achievements and New Beginnings
Hello, Oro Valley! It’s Mayor Joe Winfield here, sharing some exciting updates about our wonderful town. We’ve been recognized as the “#1 Safest Place in Arizona” for 2022 by Elite Personal Finance, thanks to our impressive safety record based on FBI statistics. We’ve also strengthened our commitment to safety with this year’s budget, which includes four new positions for our police department and a full payment of $27.6 million towards our Public Safety Personnel Retirement System’s unfunded pension debt. We’re ensuring our officers are well-compensated, helping us retain and attract the best talent out there.
Reflecting on last year, we’ve had financial success too. Our careful budgeting in FY 21/22 allowed us to pay down $10 million of police pension debt while expanding our recreational amenities and maintaining a balanced budget. We ended the year with a hefty $26 million in General Fund reserves, which is double what we are required to have.
One of our exciting projects is the Naranja Park Expansion. We began work in May, using low-interest bond financing to make this happen faster. The park expansion is funded by an existing half-cent sales tax, so no new taxes are needed. The project is expected to be completed in about two years, and it’s going to be a fantastic addition for our community.
The $25 million Parks and Recreation Bond is also boosting our beloved Oro Valley Community and Recreation Center. We’re upgrading the tennis facilities, adding pickleball courts, improving golf course irrigation, and planning a new parking lot to welcome more members.
A big win for us this past year was preserving the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. With a community-driven effort, over 600 residents donated $1.8 million to purchase this stunning 202-acre site. Join us in celebrating on July 15 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Your support made this possible, and we’re excited to start developing a master plan for the preserve.
On the development front, we’re considering plans for the Oro Valley Marketplace. A revised proposal that includes building heights of 39 feet for apartments and 49 feet for two hotels is on the table, and I’m optimistic about its future.
Looking ahead, our challenge will be balancing growth with conservation, especially as we face potential reductions in Arizona’s Colorado River water supply. We must evaluate new growth with water, traffic, and open space in mind.
Our success is rooted in our community’s involvement. Your contributions—from HOA support for golf operations to donations for the Vistoso Trails—make Oro Valley thrive. Let’s continue making this town the best place to live, work, and play.
Thank you all for your unwavering support.
Warm regards,
Mayor Joe Winfield
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