In this edition of News You Can Use you will find:

• Spring Mixer Recap
• CAGRD Launches New Water Conservation Incentive Program
• Bi-Partisan Budget Deal Reached
• May Technical Meeting Next Week
• Recap of Meeting with Marana Building Official
• Prop. 412 Update
• Landscape Design Manual Out for Review
• PDSD Update / New Director
• Changes to County Sewer As-Built Certification
• Member Connects
• Upcoming Councils & Committees
• Industry News
• New & Renewing Members

Over 80 Members Enjoy Spring Mixer!

Our Spring 2023 Mixer was a success! We welcomed new and long-time members alike. We are so grateful for the active participation, inspiring conversations, and collaborations that came out of it. After all, that’s what community building is all about!⁣

Thanks for being part of the SAHBA community. We can’t wait to see what the next event brings! ⁣

CAGRD Launches New Water Conservation Incentive Program

SAHBA has been working with CAGRD staff in developing an incentive program for homes certified to a WaterSense 2.0 standard in the CAGRD service area. The incentive program - which begins in June - would apply to any certified homes in CAGRD Member Land or limited Member Service Areas. The incentive is $1,000 per house. $150,000 total has been allocated to this "pilot program." For additional details, refer to this "highlights" document or the background on the website (scroll down). 

Bi-Partisan Budget Deal Reached

In a flurry of activity on Tuesday and Wednesday, legislative republicans and Governor Hobbs (D) reached an agreement on a budget deal that made its way through both the House and the Senate. The budgets went largely unsupported by Democrats. Of particular note, the budget does not eliminate the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program that most democrats (including Hobbs at one point) identified as a priority.

Tech Committee Meeting Next Week

If you are interested in knowing how pending policies and regulations could affect your business, the Tech Committee is where you should be. On Tuesday, May 16, the Committee will be meeting at SAHBA at 3:30p. Topics on the agenda include: a presentation from Tucson Water on resource availability; update on the Tucson Code Amendment requiring WaterSense fixtures; changes to Sahuarita's Zoning Code and an update from CAP Board member Mark Taylor. Members who want to join virtually, can register here.

Members Meet with Marana CBO

Over a dozen members recently met with Dave Spurlock, Chief Building Official for the Town of Marana. Numerous issues were addressed in this informal roundtable discussion including permitting/plan review challenges; inspection expectations; avoiding "re-fees" and staffing levels. Dave has always been willing to meet with SAHBA members and seek input for improvements. He's also able to share insight on helping builder navigate the process. Look for future opportunities to meet with local building officials. It's a great way for you to stay on top of the issues and have your questions answered.

Business Groups Support Prop. 412

On May 18, Tucson voters will decide on a new franchise agreement for Tucson Electric Power. Prop 412 will support long-term electric reliability by helping TEP serve Tucson’s increasing energy needs. It would extend TEP’s authority to build and operate a local electric grid in the City of Tucson’s public rights of way for another 25 years. This would allow TEP to replace aging infrastructure in central Tucson with modern facilities that can support customers’ expanding energy needs, including increasing the use of electric vehicles and clean energy systems while supporting economic growth. SAHBA, along with TAR, SALC and the Metro Chamber, support Prop. 412 and encourage members to 'Vote Yes.' A recent op-ed by those organizations can be found here.

County Drafts New Landscape Design Manual

Last updated in 1985, Pima County is working on a draft of a new Landscape Design Manual. Builders and developers use the manual to comply with landscaping, buffering and screening standards. SAHBA has been actively working with County officials to convey how the proposal would impact our members. Several new requirements could add cost and add expand the size of the buffer yard. A stakeholder meeting has been scheduled by the County for May 18. Following the meeting, SAHBA will submit formal comments and work on mitigating any costly requirements. If you want to know more, contact Jennifer Barroso at jennifer@sahba.org.

Tucson Planning & Development Services Updates

As referenced in the recent article in the Daily Star, which includes quotes from SAHBA President David Godlewski, there may be some improvements with approvals from the City of Tucson, but the situation is largely unchanged. SAHBA continues to work with members, and City representatives, to troubleshoot problems. While those efforts can be successful, more comprehensive improvements must occur before real progress can be achieved. SAHBA is very encouraged by the hiring of Kristina Swallow as the new Director of Planning & Development Services. We look forward to working with her on issues that benefit SAHBA, Tucson and the broader community.

Changes to County Sewer Plan Submittals

Typically public sewer plans are combined submittals with the paving plans since they both include a plan view portion as well as the profile portion. To eliminate any confusion with the County Department of Transportation, as well as any of the jurisdictions DOT’s, the word "sewer" has been added by Pima County to the As-Built certification. Click here for the new form.

Members Connect

Wednesday, May 24th

8 am to 9 am

SAHBA

2840 N. Country Club

Join SAHBA for our first Members Connect event.

This event will be a casual meeting with the opportunity to ask questions to SAHBA staff and members. Attendees will also have the chance to introduce their company to the group.

Space is limited. Register today! 

Upcoming Councils & Committees - Mark Your Calendars!

SACCD Building Area Ad Hoc - Tuesday, May 16th at 11:30 am (SAHBA)

Tech Committee - Tuesday, May 16th at 3:30 pm (Hybrid)

Membership Committee - Tuesday, May 23rd at 3 pm (SAHBA)

Business Referral Exchange (BRE) - Tuesday, June 6th at 7:30 am (SAHBA)

Remodelers Council - Wednesday, June 7th at 12 pm (SAHBA)

Sales & Marketing Council - Tuesday, June 13th at 12 pm (Hybrid)

• In a recent Eye on Economy newsletter, NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz notes, “Although the Fed did not explicitly indicate that it is done tightening, it appears to be moving toward a more data-dependent posture, albeit one that retains a hawkish bias. An end of the tightening cycle means that mortgage rates will move lower in the months ahead, sparking additional demand for new homes.” These sentiments come after the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee’s may meeting. He continues to break down how this could impact current conditions in this article. 

• Now is the time to apply for the NAHB International Builders Show (IBS) scholarship. The IBS Scholarship Program gives NAHB members between the ages of 21 and 35 the opportunity to attend IBS in Las Vegas, Feb. 27-29. Not only is it your chance to attend the show at no cost to you, but there are so many additional benefits. NAHB breaks down the top 5 reasons to apply for an IBS Scholarship. The deadline to apply is July 7^th.

• NAHB has named James W. Tobin III as the association’s new president and chief executive officer. Tobin, executive vice president and chief lobbyist at NAHB, will succeed CEO Jerry Howard, who is leaving NAHB after more than 30 years. Tobin will assume the new post effective June 1, 2023. Click here to read sentiments from NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey and James Tobin celebrating the news.

• The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that it has rescinded the upfront fees based on borrowers' debt-to-income ratios for loans acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Read the FHFA’s full press release here. 

Welcome, New Members

Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen

(Referred by Shanna Lee, Cadden Community Management)

Greenberg Financial Group

(Referred by Kimberly York, KB Home)

JW Civil

(Referred by Todd Glick, AF Sterling)

Launch Development Finance Advisors

Silverado Rooter & Plumbing

Staff Matters

(Referred by Mike Vasquez, Vasquez Custom Construction)

Thank you, Renewing Members

AAM, LLC

Atwell

BACON

Diversified Builder Supply, Inc.

EmV Design Build

Excelsior Associates with United Real Est

FrameUpNow

Rite Way Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing