On April 23, 2015, the Town of Oro Valley entered into a purchase agreement with HSL Properties for the acquisition of the El Conquistador Country Club, Golf and Tennis facilities. The Town plans to convert the Country Club into a municipal community and recreation center. Despite pending legal action to stop the purchase and bring the matter before the voters, the Town decided to move ahead with the acquisition. A transfer of ownership is anticipated by May 1, 2015.
The widely unpopular purchase spurred a referendum effort by TOOTH (Teed Off Over Tax Hike) to bring the purchase before the voters. This was followed by a lawsuit when Julie K Bower, Oro Valley Town Clerk, rejected over 3000 signatures due to a small clerical error. Despite losses in Pima County Superior and Appellate Courts, Oro Valley residents Debra Arrett and Shirl Lamonna have taken the battle to the Arizona Supreme court in a last ditch effort to give Oro Valley residents a voice in this financially flawed decision.
“TOOTH is extremely disappointed with the Town’s announcement of the purchase agreement. TOOTH has done everything possible to allow the voice of the people to be heard. Now, while our matter still sits before the Arizona Supreme Court, the Town has entered into this purchase agreement against the will of the people. We must now consider what impetus would cause such single-minded resolve in Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider and Waters to so divide our town?” asks Lamonna.
“It did not come as a surprise that the Town Manager proceeded with the purchase of the Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Club while our case is still being considered by the Arizona Supreme Court. It is simply a continuation of the lack of transparency, disregard of citizen input and egregious behavior by Mayor Satish Hiremath and Councilmembers Joe Hornat, Mary Snider and Lou Waters – the “Majority Four”. The obvious benefactor of the purchase agreement is HSL, who donated over $15,000 to their recent campaigns. The HSL bailout will be on the backs of Oro Valley residents and business owners who will fund this albatross,” said Arrett in a statement in response to the Town’s announcement.
A sales tax increase associated with the purchase went into effect March 1. “The half-cent sales tax increase was approved to only cover the costs associated with the so-called community center area of the existing dated clubhouse. I fully expect that a future motion will be made and approved by the Majority Four to allow those funds to also be used to offset golf course operation’s losses and badly needed capital improvements,” continued Arrett.
Costs associated with the acquisition continue to mount:
March 4, 2015 – Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider and Waters voted to transfer $1.2 Million from the Contingency Reserves for immediate repairs to the El Conquistador Country Club & to fund golf course losses for the 2014/2015 fiscal year.
April 1, 2015 – Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider and Waters voted to approve a $31 Million plan for Naranja Park, including an Event Center & Amphitheatre along with additional sports fields.
April 15, 2015 – The Town Manager’s recommended FY 15/16 budget included a $13 Million (12%) increase over Fiscal Year 14/15. $8.4 Million of this increase is due to the new community center & golf fund.
“The Contingency Fund cannot continue to be depleted. While the current balance is $10 million (31% of the annual budget) per Council mandate, it cannot drop below 25% or $8.2 million. One does not have to have “higher math” skills to recognize that the revenue will have to come from somewhere or the services we all enjoy will suffer. Those services include a nationally-recognized police department and well-maintained streets and roads. Will the Majority Four continue to raise utility and sales taxes or will Oro Valley voters be asked to consider a property tax in the near future in order to maintain the level of our services?” asked Arrett.
“In recent months, too often I have heard, “What happened to Oro Valley?” My only answer is the Majority Four: Mayor Satish Hiremath and Councilmembers Joe Hornat, Mary Snider and Lou Waters,” concluded Arrett. “Think of them as you travel down scenic corridors Oracle and Tangerine Roads that will soon have 764 apartments, brightly-lit signage on the backside of the Oro Valley Marketplace and a five-story retirement building.”
A separate group, Oro Valley Citizens for Open Government (OVCOG) is expected to file recall petitions against Councilmembers Joe Hornat, Lou Waters and Mary Snider today. Because a higher number of signatures is required for the recall of Mayor Hiremath, the group is continuing to gather signatures to force his recall.
Americans for Prosperity has issued a scorecard the 2015 Local Government Scorecard:
| Oro Valley | City | City Council | Burns, Brendan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | Friend of the Taxpayer |
| Oro Valley | City | City Council | Garner, William | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | Friend of the Taxpayer |
| Oro Valley | City | City Council | Hiremath, Satish | -3 | 0 | -1 | -4 | Friend of Big Government |
| Oro Valley | City | City Council | Hornat, Joe | -3 | 0 | -1 | -4 | Friend of Big Government |
| Oro Valley | City | City Council | Snider, Mary | -3 | 0 | -1 | -4 | Friend of Big Government |
| Oro Valley | City | City Council | Waters, Lou | -3 | 0 | -1 | -4 | Friend of Big Government |
| Oro Valley | City | City Council | Zinkin, Mike | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | Friend of the Taxpayer |
Related articles:
Oro Valley Town Manager accused of misrepresenting El Conquistador purchase
Residents appeal Oro Valley El Conquistador purchase referendum decision
Judge rules on Oro Valley El Conquistador purchase referendum
Residents appeal Oro Valley El Conquistador purchase referendum decision