News
Editorial: Is the grass greener in Santa Cruz County?
More than 15,000 Green Valley homeowners and more than 11,000 in the Town of Sahuarita send millions of dollars to Pima County in property taxes.
If the average Green Valley and Sahuarita resident pays, conservatively, $1,000 annually in property taxes, Pima County is collecting $26 million at a minimum.
Many in the area wonder if we’re getting our money’s worth.
That premise has led two area leaders, former state legislator and congressional candidate Randy Graf and former Tubac Chamber of Commerce director Dave Verwys, to float the idea of leaving Pima County for Santa Cruz County.
Graf and Verwys say they’re being encouraged by some Green Valley movers and shakers to gather information — for the sake of debate — on what would happen if the area south of Pima Mine Road convinced the state Legislature to let it join Santa Cruz County.
Graf was interested in state statutes on forming a new county. He found out it’s virtually impossible after La Paz County was formed from Yuma County in 1983. But in his research, Graf discovered it would take a bill and the governor’s signature to realign county lines.
On the surface, the idea of seceding seems far-fetched. We’re used to being part of Pima County, which has more than 1 million residents. It’s more cosmopolitan than Santa Cruz County, population less than 50,000. Many Sahuarita residents drive daily to Tucson for work and entertainment, so they know the county seat much better than Nogales.
The advantage would be lower property taxes and perhaps a more responsive county government. Residents in Santa Cruz County pay 20 percent lower taxes. Being one of 100,000 residents in Santa Cruz County (the population would double with the addition of Green Valley and Sahuarita) would make it easier to cut through bureaucracy than being one of 1 million.
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry has said Green Valley is getting its fair share in services. He points out that Green Valley residents do not want to tap the county’s jail, public defender and justice system.
Green Valley leaders are not concerned about the justice system. When the county debates health care or transportation, Green Valley seems to be left out of the discussion. Residents pay their taxes on time. But they have trouble pointing to major county investments in the community outside the Joyner-Green Valley Library and the county complex on La Canada Drive.
Pima County, for example, pours money into salvaging the University Physicians Hospital near the Kino Sports Complex because it serves a low-income area. But when Green Valley and Sahuarita push for a hospital, they are forced to raise millions privately before Carondelet will break ground.
Roads and medians need work in Green Valley. The medians look barren from years of drought and neglect from the county. In fixing the problem, a local group called MedianGreen took up the cause, asking non-profits and service organizations for funds.
The refrain of sympathy, but sparingly little help, seems to be a familiar refrain for Green Valley taxpayers. If the county does not fund something, residents will take out checkbooks and fill the void without protest.
Graf and Verwys plan to measure the response of residents. They say the debate will remain constructive. They say they will not lobby state legislators if residents are not in favor of secession.
They have asked residents to e-mail them at dave-randy@cox.net with their thoughts, concerns and suggestions. If there seems to be support, they intend to lobby legislators from District 25 and District 30 to sponsor legislation for the switch. They’re hoping to have the new lines drawn by Jan. 1, 2010, in time for the new Census.
The logistical questions related to the move would be extensive. How would assets for public facilities be transferred from one county to another? Would county lines have to be drawn around school districts to keep them in the same county? Bottom line: Is the grass really greener in Santa Cruz County?
Green Valley voters have rejected incorporation in the past. They were not interested in change.
We’re interested in hearing what comments emerge about this latest effort to bring a louder voice to the community.
Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Respond by e-mailing letters@gvnews.com. Comment online at www.gvnews.com.
If the average Green Valley and Sahuarita resident pays, conservatively, $1,000 annually in property taxes, Pima County is collecting $26 million at a minimum.
Many in the area wonder if we’re getting our money’s worth.
That premise has led two area leaders, former state legislator and congressional candidate Randy Graf and former Tubac Chamber of Commerce director Dave Verwys, to float the idea of leaving Pima County for Santa Cruz County.
Graf and Verwys say they’re being encouraged by some Green Valley movers and shakers to gather information — for the sake of debate — on what would happen if the area south of Pima Mine Road convinced the state Legislature to let it join Santa Cruz County.
Graf was interested in state statutes on forming a new county. He found out it’s virtually impossible after La Paz County was formed from Yuma County in 1983. But in his research, Graf discovered it would take a bill and the governor’s signature to realign county lines.
On the surface, the idea of seceding seems far-fetched. We’re used to being part of Pima County, which has more than 1 million residents. It’s more cosmopolitan than Santa Cruz County, population less than 50,000. Many Sahuarita residents drive daily to Tucson for work and entertainment, so they know the county seat much better than Nogales.
The advantage would be lower property taxes and perhaps a more responsive county government. Residents in Santa Cruz County pay 20 percent lower taxes. Being one of 100,000 residents in Santa Cruz County (the population would double with the addition of Green Valley and Sahuarita) would make it easier to cut through bureaucracy than being one of 1 million.
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry has said Green Valley is getting its fair share in services. He points out that Green Valley residents do not want to tap the county’s jail, public defender and justice system.
Green Valley leaders are not concerned about the justice system. When the county debates health care or transportation, Green Valley seems to be left out of the discussion. Residents pay their taxes on time. But they have trouble pointing to major county investments in the community outside the Joyner-Green Valley Library and the county complex on La Canada Drive.
Pima County, for example, pours money into salvaging the University Physicians Hospital near the Kino Sports Complex because it serves a low-income area. But when Green Valley and Sahuarita push for a hospital, they are forced to raise millions privately before Carondelet will break ground.
Roads and medians need work in Green Valley. The medians look barren from years of drought and neglect from the county. In fixing the problem, a local group called MedianGreen took up the cause, asking non-profits and service organizations for funds.
The refrain of sympathy, but sparingly little help, seems to be a familiar refrain for Green Valley taxpayers. If the county does not fund something, residents will take out checkbooks and fill the void without protest.
Graf and Verwys plan to measure the response of residents. They say the debate will remain constructive. They say they will not lobby state legislators if residents are not in favor of secession.
They have asked residents to e-mail them at dave-randy@cox.net with their thoughts, concerns and suggestions. If there seems to be support, they intend to lobby legislators from District 25 and District 30 to sponsor legislation for the switch. They’re hoping to have the new lines drawn by Jan. 1, 2010, in time for the new Census.
The logistical questions related to the move would be extensive. How would assets for public facilities be transferred from one county to another? Would county lines have to be drawn around school districts to keep them in the same county? Bottom line: Is the grass really greener in Santa Cruz County?
Green Valley voters have rejected incorporation in the past. They were not interested in change.
We’re interested in hearing what comments emerge about this latest effort to bring a louder voice to the community.
Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Respond by e-mailing letters@gvnews.com. Comment online at www.gvnews.com.
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