What's happening and what's the buzz!

Many thanks to those who could attend and a special thanks to our speakers Tom Belshe from the Arizona League of Cities and Towns and Tom Murphy, Mayor of Sahuarita. Stay tuned for the video to watch in case you missed the meeting.  

 For the third Community Meeting, the guest speaker was Benson's Mayor Joe Konrad. 

Thank you to those able to attend the Zoom meeting. Many thanks to our speaker Mayor Joe Konrad from Benson and our moderator MaRico Tippett. You asked and we answered all 55 of your questions! If you missed it, you can watch it here! Please make sure to use the passcode. 

https://zoom.us/rec/share/ke6Y5KVDW-w3Hh-7HzOza2u63ddzOFWGpqc_ghbiSX-Vc0gavORxGUHkgHvsYN4g._PRcJHhzOwJ8RjxG

Passcode: =.5p1BPE

Since we heard from many residents who were unable to attend the first meeting, the second Community Meeting was at 6pm on September 11th by Zoom.  Many thanks to those able to attend. Thanks also to our speaker Tim Pickering and to our moderator Rob Samuelsen. The meeting ran over as we wanted to be sure all your questions (74!) were answered.  

TO VIEW THE VIDEO FROM THE SEPTEMBER 11TH MEETING, GO TO

https://zoom.us/rec/share/VJht1dcCWsLE9eqov3BvZ4jSNlZBLjJcfShMXIFhIvfa3jK3Pqo7pIfaV79A-ire.txfgcW-jSkRtPCmc

(Passcode: Xs3SM4$Z) Please be patient with the loading.

Under Arizona statute (ARS 9-101), there are two ways to form a new city or town: one is by a 2/3’s supermajority signature vote and the other by a 10% collection of signatures and a subsequent election of the simple majority... 

The first of four Community Meeting was at 6pm on August 29th at Cienega High School with guest speaker John Flint. 

TO VIEW THE VIDEO FROM THE AUGUST 29TH MEETING, GO TO “Ask The Expert” Community Meeting 01 – Love Vail – YouTube . 

When the Town of Sahuarita became incorporated in 1994, we had 1,800 residents – anticipated town boundaries in Vail could be upwards of 14,000...

Recently posted on Next Door by those opposing incorporation: "(Incorporate Vail members) are failing to mention that if they get a two thirds vote, it will automatically PASS the incorporation."  

As stated numerous times, 

1) The petition drive is ONLY to collect 2,000 signatures. 

2) A different petition would be needed to do otherwise. We apologize for any misunderstanding.

 So much misinformation has been spread.  Here are the top false statements by the opposition against Vail incorporating. Know the facts to make your decision!

KVOA Channel 4, July 12, 2023 - Vail One Step Closer to Becoming a Town

KGUN Channel 9, July 10, 2023 - Residents split as Vail incorporation debate heats up.

KVOA Channel 4, July 7, 2023 - Group pushes for Vail to incorporate into its own town.

KOLD Channel 13, July 5, 2023 - The race is on for those who support Vail incorporation and those against it.  

Pima County staff (Elections Department, County Recorder, County Attorney, and County Administrator) have determined that IVA has met all their filing requirements. They have recommended that this item be placed on the July 11 Pima County Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting agenda.   Attached you will find a copy of the County Administrator’s memorandum to the BOS on Vail along with a copy of IVA's petition submission. 

Below is the final map submitted to the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Academy Village and Rincon Desert Estates were the two neighborhoods removed.

I write to provide clarity and shed light on a topic that often results in confusion among Arizona residents - the difference between towns and charter cities within our state... 

Many apologies. This updated map approved by the City of Tucson, Pima County and the Arizona State Land Department was to be posted after the May 9th Tucson City Council Meeting. These are the boundaries that were published in the Arizona Daily Star.

Vail residents divided on push to become a town...

The Incorporate Vail AZ (IVA) committee has been working from a detailed eight-page project plan. The major milestones are established by State statute and the work breakdown structure by the steps required to achieve the intermediate goals... 

(Resolution No. 23605 presented during regular meeting) 

Subject: Relating to Incorporation: Declaring Support for the Town of  Vail Incorporation Effort (Ward 4 and Outside City).

Issue –Incorporate Vail AZ! has requested a resolution of support for their effort to incorporate an  Arizona municipal corporation in Vail.

City Manager's Office Recommendation – Staff recommends approval of the attached Resolution,  subject to any modifications to address the issues presented by the Arizona State Land Department  (see attached correspondence from ASLD). 

Background – Incorporate Vail AZ!, is a not-for-profit entity formed by Vail-area business and  community leaders for the purpose of organizing an effort to incorporate an area adjacent to the City  of Tucson in unincorporated Pima County, as an Arizona City or Town.  

Present Consideration(s) – The organizers are targeting a November 2023 election to decide the  incorporation question. In order to be successful, a majority of voters within the proposed boundary  must vote in favor of incorporation.  

Per ARS 9-101, the organizers are required to obtain a resolution of support from the City of Tucson  Mayor and Council, prior to petitioning the Pima County Board of Supervisors to have the  incorporation questions placed on the November ballot. The attached resolution meets the statutory  requirement and includes a map of the proposed municipal boundary. 

Plan Tucson Consideration(s) – This item relates to the Element of Governance & Participation.  Specifically, this item is supported by the following policies: 

G6 – Coordinate and collaborate with nongovernmental organizations to increase public  participation.  G7 – Develop and maintain strong partnerships with regional and local nongovernmental  organizations, including educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and neighborhood and  citizen groups. 

G8 – Support a representative and balanced multi-jurisdictional, regional approach to short-term  and long-term planning.  

Financial Considerations – Incorporation will bring additional State-Shared Revenues into our  region. Bringing new revenue into our community that can be used for public services will raise the  quality of life in Pima County.  

While gold, silver, and copper are valuable, there is one natural resource more precious than that – WATER. All life on earth is contingent on fresh water and in the west, battles are fought over water rights. The fights aren’t with guns anymore, but rather with checkbooks and lawyers...  

The secret is out! According to SmartAsset, Vail is the 35th best suburb in America, the only Arizona suburb in the Top 50, and the top ranked suburb in the western United States! Rounding out Arizona in the Top 100 are Sahuarita (63rd) and Apache Junction (79th)...

Per ARS 9-101 C.2, The IVA Board developed the metes and bounds document which ran in the Arizona Daily Star for two consecutive weeks beginning Thursday, April 27.  A "metes and bounds" show the boundaries or limits of a tract of land especially as described by reference to lines and distances between points on the land. The map is also included.  Members of the public were able to request modifications to the boundary and the metes and bounds as described below by presenting alternatives to the petitioners.

A very common misconception is that municipal incorporation will automatically increase our property taxes. Part of this misconception is simply not understanding what is included in the property tax and how it's calculated.

Taxes are complicated and it's something we all love to hate! We also want good roads, safe neighborhoods, and abundant parks.

Financial feasibility is paramount for any organization's long-term viability. It is no different for a new Arizona town...