Posted August 19, 2014
PIMA COUNTY COMBINED PROPERTY TAXES TO INCREASE 12 PERCENT - Most Pima County homeowners will see an increase in their property tax bills this year. In a 3-2 vote yesterday, the Pima County Board of Supervisors set the County’s combined tax rate at $5.76 per $100 of assessed valuation - an increase of about 12 percent from last year. Supervisors also approved tax rates set by dozens of municipalities, school boards, fire district boards, and other special taxing districts. The exact increase varies depending on where a person lives, but the owner of a $150,000 house in Tucson and the Tucson Unified School District can expect to pay, on average, an extra $123 next year. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
TUCSON PROGRAM SAVES WATER AND HELPS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS -Tucson Water customers have saved 3.6 million gallons of water while contributing to community enhancement projects through Conserve to Enhance (C2E), a program started at the University of Arizona. Tucson participants have saved water through conservation strategies, ranging from behavioral changes to rainwater harvesting installations. Tucson C2E has received nearly $40,000 in donations since the program began. Donations have come directly from participant water savings and the “Riparian Enhancement and Open Space” check box on Tucson Water monthly bills. The program has funded numerous projects, including the Atturbury Wash restoration. Now, the effort has expanded beyond state boundaries, looking to help Colorado and California start their own water conservation and community enhancement programs under the umbrella of the UA-based sustainability program.
DEVELOPER ALLAN NORVILLE WINS RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE POSSIBLE LAND PURCHASE FOR DOWNTOWN HOTEL PROJECT - The Rio Nuevo Board voted yesterday to enter into negotiations with developer Allan Norville to have him buy and develop 8.5 acres of Rio Nuevo Land currently occupied by the Greyhound Bus Depot. Norville beat out Ron Schwabe of Peach Properties. Although Norville won a chance to negotiate with Rio Nuevo, the Board still must vote on whether it wants to open talks or scrap the plan and start over. Board discussion is set for next Tuesday. Norville’s plan - offering to pay $5.6 million for the land - calls for a 140-room hotel, a 96-unit apartment complex, a visual arts center, three museums, and a theater. Norville also says he'd build a 120,000-square-foot exhibition hall on his property adjacent to the Rio Nuevo land. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
TRAFFIC ALERT: KOLB ROAD STREET LIGHT REPAIRS - Beginning tomorrow, crews from the City of Tucson Department of Transportation Streets and Traffic Maintenance Division will replace lamps and repair all of the street lights on the west side of Kolb Road, from Tanque Verde Road to Speedway Boulevard. Crews will be working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to be finished in one day. For the safety of the work crews and motorists, the southbound curb lane on Kolb Road will be closed during the work. Residential and business access will be maintained at all times. Expect delays if driving through the area during work hours.
FARE OPTIONS FOR STREETCAR - There are many fare options available to ride the streetcar. Cash is not accepted on the car, but you can use it at machines at the stops to buy a $4 one-day pass. In addition, you can buy SunGO passes online or at regular Sun Tran merchants. Discount fares are available for certain students, low-income residents, seniors and disabled passengers. University of Arizona faculty, staff, and students can ride streetcar for free, through Sept. 14, if they sign up for a special U-pass. The City of Tucson has a video that tells you everything you need to know about how to ride the streetcar.
Cómo viajar video