Property Tax Information

ward4 - May 21, 12:50 pm

There are 3 issues that have increased the property tax:

1) Increase allowed by the State law 2% 2) Increase related to Insurance Tort and ... 3) Loss of revenue based on a reduction of sales tax revenue

For more info click below:

http://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/fllmhnbwb5hecl55hmio02za/5270773052120131201065.PDF

Compensation Plan Information

ward4 - May 21, 12:03 pm

Want more information on the compensation plan...click on this link.  http://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/zj5403bcvoy35455zu22td45/527403805212013115820783.PDF

NewsNet 5-17-13

newsnet - May 20, 5:35 pm

AGENDA SPOTLIGHT: FINAL ADOPTION OF FY14 BUDGET - A special session has been scheduled during the regular meeting Tuesday, May 21 for final adoption of the City's Annual Budget for Fiscal 2014. This budget, totaling approximately $1.27B, was tentatively adopted by M&C on May 7. A final public hearing on the budget is also scheduled for next Tuesday during the regular session, immediately after which M&C will recess and convene a special meeting for the purpose of the budget's final adoption. Read the M&C memo re: final budget public hearing here. Read the M&C memo re: adoption of FY2014 budget here.

TPD TO BEGIN ZERO-TOLERANCE SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT NEXT WEEK - As part of the national "Click it or Ticket" campaign, the Tucson Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies are partnering with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to increase seat belt usage throughout the state. The Arizona campaign, called "Buckle Up Arizona… Its the Law!," is based upon high visibility and aggressive traffic enforcement with a zero-tolerance approach towards seat belt and child safety seat usage. The enforcement mobilization will run from May 20, 2013 to June 2, 2013. Read the news release from TPD here.

JUDGE DENIES REQUEST FOR PRETRIAL RULING IN TUCSON'S CHALLENGE TO NEW ELECTION LAW - A lawsuit challenging a 2012 state law that would require Arizona's local governments to move their elections to even-numbered years will now go to trial. The new law, which takes effect in 2014, affects about half of Arizona's cities and towns, is being challenged on constitutional grounds by the cities of Tucson and Phoenix. Judge James Marner denied motions for summary judgmemnt filed by the case's plaintiffs and defendant, asking Marner to either overturn the law or dismiss the suit. Marner said conflicting evidence presented by the state and cities regarding voter turnout and cost savings needs to be heard in court. From the Republic. From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: http://bit.ly/10zilVx

SEQUESTER SPOTLIGHT: 1,300 CIVILIAN DM EMPLOYEES TO BE FURLOUGHED - Due to federal budget cuts, about ten percent of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's workforce will be forced to take one day off per week for 11 weeks, starting July 8th. Military employees may pick up some of the work civilian employees were doing, in order to keep those priorities functioning, including training A-10 pilots. From Arizona Public Media.

REMINDER: OPEN ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY - City employees' annual opportunity to make changes to their insurance benefits is now underway, and will last until May 31st. Employees who do not wish to make changes to their current benefits do not need to do anything, however; employees who make personal contributions to health savings accounts must re-enroll. For more info, see the City's Open Enrollment page.

 

[read more]

NewsNet 5-16-13

newsnet - May 20, 5:06 pm

CITY OF TUCSON FLEET NAMED TOP 100 BEST FLEETS IN THE NATION - Government Fleet Magazine has recognized the City of Tucson with the 100 Best Fleets Award for 2013. The award program recognizes and rewards peak performing public sector fleet operations in North America. The program also identifies and encourages ever-increasing levels of performance improvement within the fleet industry. The City of Tucson fleet was acknowledged for its operational efficiency, significant savings and increased fleet availability. Read the City of Tucson news release here.

TUCSON 12 PRESENTS: CAPTAIN AWESOME! - Tucson artist Maloree Renaud and her two-year-old son, Captain Awesome, are on a mission to visit all 127 of Tucsons city parks. Renaud is keeping an online journal with photos of the parks theyve visited, and is creating paintings of some of them, too. Their project, called Playable Parks, can be found on the web at www.playableparks.com. Tucson 12 caught up with Renaud and Captain Awesome last week. From Tucson 12.

 

CITY OF PHOENIX RECOMMENDED FY14 BUDGET INCREASES BY $12.6M, BOOSTS CITY SERVICES - Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos has proposed a general fund budget of $1.16B for FY14, an increase of about $12.6M over the current fiscal year. The FY14 budget increases or restores previously cut services in several areas, including 18 additional police patrol officers, four firefighters, three paramedics, restoration of five of the city's after-school program sites, and other enhancements. The budget is set for tentative adoption May 21. From the Republic.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON ADOT FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM WRAPS UP TOMORROW - The public has one more day to submit comments on the Arizona Department of Transportation's 2014-2018 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. The public comment period is open until the end of the business day on Friday, May 17 to provide community members with a chance to submit their feedback online or by phone. The program is available for public review and comment at www.azdot.gov. ADOT has developed a how to read it guide that is posted on the website and welcomes feedback at FiveYearProgram@azdot.gov. A phone line is also available for callers to leave their comments and ask questions: (855) 712-8530.

TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING: NOTICE OF TAX INCREASE - In compliance with A.R.S. §42-17107, the City of Tucson, Arizona, is notifying its property taxpayers of the City of Tucson's intention to raise primary property taxes over last year's level. The City is proposing an increase of primary property taxes of $2,662,460 or 19.5%. All interested citizens are invited to attend the public hearing on the tax increase that is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at or after 5:30 p.m. at the Mayor and Council Chambers in City Hall. Read the City of Tucson news release here.

 

[read more]

NewsNet 5-15-13

newsnet - May 20, 2:46 pm

TUCSON WATER: 36-INCH PIPELINE AT PIMA MINE ROAD CANNOT ACCOMMODATE TWO INCOMING 36-INCH CONNECTIONS - M&C voted unanimously yesterday to tentatively adopt 11 criteria determining who may connect to an existing 36-inch pipeline, serving the Pima Mine Road Recharge Project, jointly owned by the City and the Central Arizona Project. Before the vote, Tucson Water officials told the council that the utility's 36-inch existing pipeline can't accommodate both 36-inch pipelines that Farmers Investment Co. and Community Water Co. of Green Valley have proposed to take CAP to southern Pima County. Community Water Co. plans to recharge CAP water to compensate for groundwater pumping that Rosemont Copper will do for its proposed mine. From the Star.

TUCSON WATER RECIEVES HIGH CREDIT RATING - Moody’s Investor Service has assigned a rating of Aa2 and stable outlook to three upcoming Tucson Water bond sales. The rating of Aa2 describes an investment grade of high quality and very low credit risk. From Moody’s.

TPD OFFICERS TRAIN IN SPECIAL EXERCISE AT TCC - TPD officers participated in a training exercise at the Tucson Convention Center today. Members of the department’s Specialized Response Division, the SWAT Team and the Explosive and Hazardous Device Detail (a.k.a. Bomb Squad) are running scenarios of “high-risk or armed resistance type incidents ... in light of recent events that have occurred in Aurora, Colo., and Boston,” said TPD spokesman Sgt. Chris Widmer. From the Star.

TUCSON NAMED IN TRAVEL CHANNEL’S “TOP 10 CYCLING CITIES” - “This desert oasis has more bicycle infrastructure than any other city in the US, boasting more than 700 miles of designated bikeways,” says the Travel Channel in their recent feature, “Top 10 Cycling Cities in US.” From the Travel Channel.

TUCSON PARKS FOUNDATION PRESENTS THIRD ANNUAL “NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK” WITH TUCSON PADRES - The Tucson Parks Foundation, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, is sponsoring its 3rd annual Night at the Ballpark with the Tucson Padres on Wednesday , May 29th, at 7:05 p.m. at Kino Stadium. Discounted general admission Padres tickets are available for $4 (a $7 value) from the Tucson Parks Foundation website. All fundraising from this event helps to support Tucson Parks and Recreation KIDCO programs. Purchases of 20 tickets or more will receive a 25% discount at checkout. Read the news release from Parks & Rec here.

 

[read more]

Family Fun Day

ward4 - May 20, 11:37 am

May 25, 9am-12noon @ Purple Heart Park, 10050 E. Rita Rd.

Rita Ranch Neighborhood Association will be having a Family Fun Day.  There will be face painting, kiddy train, food and more.  It's a great time to get out and enjoy the park with the whole family.

TPD Strategic Plan 2013-2018

police - May 17, 2:58 pm

TPD Strategic Plan 2013-2018 

Karin's Note: Thursday, May 16, 2013

ward3 - May 16, 3:56 pm

Karin's Note: Thursday, May 16, 2013

[read more]

NewsNet 5-14-13

newsnet - May 16, 11:43 am

FIELD AT GRIJALVA PARK TO HONOR FALLEN SOLDIER - The Midvale Park Neighborhood Association and the Tucson Unified School District, along with numerous dignitaries from the City of Tucson and Pima County and countless friends from throughout the community, will dedicate the multi-use field in Grijalva Park in honor of U.S. Army Specialist Christopher J. Moon on Monday, May 20 at 8:15 a.m. Specialist Moon was a Tucson native who died as a result of hostile action in Afghanistan in 2010. The multi-use field is located adjacent to Grijalva Elementary School, 1795 W Drexel Road, where Chris was a student from first through fifth grade. This dedication is a celebration of Moon's life and achievements. Read the news release from Parks & Rec here.

AGENDA SPOTLIGHT: COMPENSATION PLAN - At the April 23rd M&C Study Session, staff was directed to return within 30 days with a report on inequities in the City's compensation structure. An item has been placed on today's Study Session agenda for staff to present the information requested by M&C. Compensation Plan adoption is scheduled for the Mayor & Council's May 21st meeting. Read the M&C memo here.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIOR ASKS SUPERVISORS TO SUPPORT GAS TAX INCREASE - In their regular meeting today, the Pima County Board of Supervisors will consider recommendations from a transportation funding report prepared by County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry. The recommendations include lobbying the Arizona Legislature for a ten cent increase to the state's gas tax and restoration of swept Highway Use Revenue Funds. A recent report from the American Society of Civil Engineers recently gave the state a 'D' rating on its roads, with 52 percent rated in either poor or mediocre condition. From today's Star. Download the transportation funding report here.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS THIS SATURDAY - Individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to historic preservation in Tucson and Pima County will be recognized this Saturday at the annual Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission and the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. The event will take place at 9 a.m. at the St. Phillips in the Hills Episcopal Church. Read the City of Tucson News Release here.

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY: MANAGEMENT OF PARKING FACILITIES - The City of Tucson's ParkWise Division seeks a qualified contractor to assist in the security, management, operations and maintenance of its downtown facilities. Facilities to be managed include the Pennington St. Garage, Plaza Centro Garage, Depot Plaza Garage, Main Library Garage, City/State Garage, La Entrada (Tucson Water) Garage, as well as several City parking lots. Read the City of Tucson RFP here.

 

[read more]

NewsNet Bulletin: Announcement from Deputy City Manager Liz Miller

newsnet - May 14, 4:31 pm

Deputy City Manager Liz Miller has communicated to City Manager Richard Miranda that she will be leaving the City Manager's Office effective May 31. "Without a doubt, Deputy City Manager Miller has been a role model for all and she has contributed greatly to the mission of enhancing the quality of life of our community," said Miranda in a memo to M&C. "I will surely miss her and the consultation she has provided me over the years. I will be making a decision on her replacement in a short time." Read the memo from City Manager Miranda, with letter from Deputy City Manager Miller here.

[read more]