Architects await reaction to GV secession plan

Local reaction to a proposal to move Green Valley and Sahuarita to Santa Cruz County is generally favorable, its proponents say, although a Pima County spokesperson voiced misgivings Friday afternoon.

Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County administrator, suggested supporters — if successful — would face a rude awakening, because locals here receive an equitable amount in services for the taxes they pay.

That’s one of the arguments by proponents of a realigned county - Green Valley area residents send more to the county than they receive in county services.

The main proponents of realignment are Randy Graf of Green Valley and Dave Verwys, former Tubac Chamber of Commerce executive and Sahuarita resident. They say they’ve received supportive comments mostly.

Friday morning, Verwys said a neighbor told him, “‘Make sure we’re in there.’”

Graf, a former state legislator and congressional candidate, said he has heard some, but minor, opposition.

Santa Cruz County supervisors all seemed for it when the idea was first floated.

Santa Cruz County is the smallest county in Arizona, Pima one of the largest and second only to Maricopa in taxes raised and population. Phoenix, in Maricopa, is Arizona’s capitol.

State Rep. Marian McClure of District No. 30, said it was an interesting concept and one that she’d need to think about.

She said she’d want to know what the state constitution had to say about it, and then if permitted she’d want to see the proposed legislation.

State Rep. Jonathan Paton said he’d need lots more information before making any kind of decision.

One thing, he stressed, was that if it is actually proposed, the affected people must vote on it.

“For me the main thing would be to be sure there’s “the involvement of the people.”

Jim DiGiacomo, executive director of the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce, seemed upbeat on the idea of leaving Pima to join Santa Cruz.

“It’s something to look into. It wouldn’t hurt to look into it,” he said, adding, “some people say it sounds like a good idea. What are we getting back for the taxes we pay?” he asked.

Sahuarita Town Manager Jim Stahle said it was an interesting idea, but he’d need more information before commenting in depth.

Sahuarita Vice Mayor Phillip Conklin said his initial reactions was, “I feel much more related business-wise, social and entertainment wise with Pima County and Tucson than I do with Santa Cruz County.”

He said the amount of taxes paid to either county “is not the only issue” he’d consider.

One thing that’s hasn’t been mentioned is the transportation money this area receives from the Regional Transportation Authority and Pima Association of Governments.

Huckelberry also said there would be other things to determine before such a split could be considered, such as the amount of taxes the counties raise to operate, $314 million in Pima, $7 million in Santa Cruz.

He said supporters of the idea “may get a rude awakening “ when they get an accurate figure on what this area gets back from the county.”

The Green Valley Community Coordinating Council has taken no stand on the idea of moving into Santa Cruz County.

GVCCC President Russ Symes said he was “waiting for a fact sheet, an analysis. We don’t have anything.”

He said Graf had said there would be figures to follow his initial proposal.

Symes said he was looking for input from other individuals, before making a statement.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749

Randy Graff



Dave Verwys