City News

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) invites you to participate in an important online survey. The survey, which is being released during Monsoon Awareness Week, focuses on driver awareness of and first-hand experiences with driving in Arizona dust storms. Your input will help ADOT identify opportunities to improve communications to drivers.

The survey has been completed and is no longer available.

PIMA COUNTY APPROVES $1.18 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET WITH PROPERTY TAX INCREASE - The Pima County Board of Supervisors yesterday adopted the 2014-15 budget. The $1.18 billion spending plan includes a 62-cent increase per $100 of assessed value in the primary property tax rate. For the owner of a $146,000 home — the average for Pima County — the tax increase will cost a little more than $90 a year. As part of the package, County employees will receive a 50-cent-per-hour pay raise. The board approved the budget, with Republican Supervisors Ray Carroll and Ally Miller voting against the measure. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star:.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL APPOINT INTERIM CITY MANAGER - The Mayor and Tucson City Council yesterday voted unanimously to appoint Assistant City Manager Martha Durkin as the Interim City Manager after current Manager Richard Miranda retires July 31. Durkin has worked in City and County government since 1984. The Council plans to conduct a national search for a permanent City Manager and will discuss the recruitment and selection process at a special meeting on June 30th. Read more from Arizona Public Media.

'THERE’S NO BACKDROP THAT SAYS DESERT QUITE LIKE (TUCSON'S) 100 SQUARE MILES OF TOWERING SAGUARO CACTI' - Zoomer Magazine mentions Kitt Peak National Observatory, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum, Titan Missile Museum, Saguaro National Park, El Charro Café and Tucson Lazydays KOA as some of the reasons to visit Tucson. Zoomer describes itself as catering to the "discriminating 45-plus demographic," with articles on travel, lifestyle, health, money, and more. Tucson is continually featured in travel magazines, websites, and newspaper articles touting the city's great climate, bicycling, recreation, restaurants and general high quality of life.

MOVIES IN THE PARK SERIES CONTINUES AT REID PARK - Looking for some family-friendly entertainment on Friday nights over the summer? Movies in the Park, a Tucson summer staple since 2003, returns Friday at Reid Park with a free showing of "We Bought a Zoo." Residents are invited to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy a free movie every other Friday at the Demeester Performing Arts Pavilion, 900 S. Randolph Way. The events begin at 5:30 p.m. with live music, jumping castles, balloon animals, and arts and crafts exhibits from nonprofits. Popcorn, soda, and food truck vendors also will be available for an additional charge. The Movies in the Park program is hosted by Cox Communications and the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance. Read more from Tucson News Now.

GET THE LATEST TUCSON NEWS AND INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER - "Like" the City of Tucson on Facebook to get the latest news, community updates and fun facts about Tucson local government and our community. You can also "Follow" the City of Tucson on Twitter for timely, concise updates throughout the day.

CHINESE COMPANY TO BUY RECYCLED PRODUCTS FROM TUCSON - A Chinese company has entered into an agreement to buy the junk mail, cardboard boxes and newspapers that get thrown into the City's blue recycling bins. America Chung Nam Inc., or ACNI, will buy up to 100 ocean containers filled with recyclable paper each week. The goods will move from the Port of Tucson to China, where they will be turned into new paper. “This is a big economic development tool for our region,” said Stefan Baumann, director of business development for the Port of Tucson. He said some companies relocated to California to be close to the coast and keep transportation costs low. “Now we are like the Los Angeles port, but dry.” The Port of Tucson is an inland port that can service ocean freight. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.

SILVERBELL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT - The Tucson Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will host an open house tonight to discuss the landscape design and public art for the Silverbell Road improvements. The meeting runs from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the El Rio Neighborhood Center, 1390 W. Speedway. The project, which is part of the voter-approved RTA plan, will widen the stretch of North Silverbell between West Grant and West Goret roads to four lanes while adding pedestrian facilities, bicycle lanes, drainage improvements and native landscaping. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.

CITY OF TUCSON AND UA TO COLLECT FOOD SCRAPS -  The City of Tucson and the University of Arizona will begin a pilot program June 30 that will collect food scraps from local restaurants and grocery stores to be used for compost. The scraps will be delivered to a compost facility operated by the UA Compost Cats on Tohono O'Odham Nation land. The City recently entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Compost Cats to divert food scraps and green waste. The compost is sold at Farmers' Markets and is used by the Tohono O’Odham Nation and the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. Food scraps represent a significant portion of the City's organic waste generation. Tucson's Environmental Services department will evaluate whether commercial businesses, such as grocery stores and restaurants, generate enough food scraps to develop a cost effective collection program. Read the news release.

TUCSON SOCCER ACADEMY COMPETING IN REGIONALS IN NEW MEXICO - The Tucson Soccer Academy's 98 Boys Red team is playing in this week's Region IV Championships in Albuquerque, following a second consecutive title win against powerhouse programs in Arizona. "The biggest thing they have going for them is chemistry," said Head Coach Jeff Rogers. "They all get along, they're good friends on and off the field, and the dynamics of the players have all come together and they mesh together in a really special way." The championships are expected to draw more than 4,500 players and an estimated 15,000 spectators. The U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV Championships consist of championship teams from 14 state associations.

Habitat for Humanity Tucson is welcoming four families to their new homes in Copper Vista, 1371 East Copper Vista on Wednesday, May 28, 4 pm.  For more information, go online to habitattucson.org.