Public safety has been one of my highest priorities throughout my eight years on the Oro Valley Town Council. As your Vice Mayor, I have consistently worked to ensure our police department has the leadership, resources, and support necessary to keep Oro Valley one of Arizona’s safest communities. I am the only candidate in this race who has played a direct role in the Town of Oro Valley’s current public safety success.
Keeping Oro Valley Safe
Oro Valley is recognized as the #1 safest city in Arizona and one of the safest and most livable places to retire in the nation. These recognitions reflect years of thoughtful planning, strong leadership, and a clear commitment to protecting our community.
Supporting Strong Police Leadership
I was proud to serve as your Vice Mayor on the Council that appointed award-winning Chief Kara Riley as our Police Chief. Under her leadership, and with the full support of the Council, our police department has continued to set a standard of excellence across Arizona.
I also supported the department’s pursuit of professional accreditation led by Chief Riley. Today, the Oro Valley Police Department is one of only three agencies in Arizona to hold all three available accreditations in Law Enforcement, Communications and Dispatch, and Property and Evidence.
Investing in Our Officers
A strong police department starts with attracting and retaining outstanding officers. I have supported competitive officer compensation and the resources necessary to maintain exceptional retention rates, helping Oro Valley retain experienced officers who know our community and are committed to serving it.
Fiscal Responsibility That Delivers Results
Public safety requires sound financial decision-making. I supported paying off the Town’s unfunded public safety pension liability, which accumulated when prior Town Councils deferred the appropriate annual contributions. Addressing this $27 million financial responsibility involved using a combination of $10 million excess reserves from the Town’s general fund and borrowing $17 million in a low interest bond. This decision was not only the right thing to do in our commitment to our officers’ secure retirement, but it will save our Town $30 million due to the better financial terms we were able to secure.
Smart Solutions for the Future
As our police department outgrew its current facility, I supported a practical and fiscally responsible solution. Rather than spending more than $30 million on a new police station, we purchased an existing building for $3.8 million that can be transformed to meet the department’s needs for a fraction of the prior projected cost. Working on the renovation of this police station is one of my key priorities for the future.
This approach ensures our officers have the facilities they need while protecting taxpayer resources.
Leadership With Results
My record on public safety is built on action, sound judgment, and responsible stewardship of your taxpayer dollars. As your Mayor, I will continue to ensure Oro Valley remains one of the safest communities in Arizona through strong leadership, strategic investment, and support for those who protect us.
