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

• 2024 Council and Committees Chair Announcement
• Breaking News...Tucson City Manager to Step Down
• Join us at the Next Technical Committee Meeting
• Governor Hobbs Outlines Priorities During State of the State Address 
• Are You Having Blue Stake Issues?
• City Approves Prevailing Wage Ordinance
• Member Input Needed: Help Plan Tucson's Future
• City of Tucson Initiates Process to Increase PDSD Fees
• Tucson Advancing Policy to Allow 3-Way Diverter Valves for Gray Water Application
• Staying on Top of Permits and Plan Delays in Marana
• Oro Valley Council Denies Proposed Development 
• Heads Up: New Sidewalk Permitting Process in Sahuarita
• 2024 Board Installation - January 19
• Volunteers Needed: Pima County Point in Time Street Count
• Habitat for Humanity Presents: Veterans Gaslight Fundraiser - March 16
• Upcoming Councils & Committees
• Industry News
• New, Renewing & Dropped Members

Introducing the 2024 Council and Committee Chairs


We are delighted to unveil this year's Council and Committee chairs. These outstanding individuals have taken on leadership positions to generate insightful content and foster meaningful discussions among their fellow members within their council and committee meetings.

Business Referral Exchange Chair: Jennie Uhlmann, United Real Estate

Remodelers Council Chair: Dale Craig, Tucson Window and Door

Sales & Marketing Council Co-chairs: Andrew Moya, KB Home, and Jill Jones, Lennar

Technical Committee Chairs: Chris Laria, Bowman, and Kelly Lee, KB Home 

Thank you to Noah Doran, Mattamy the outgoing chair for the Sales & Marketing Council and both John Ward, Bowman and Thrac Paulette, Cantera Real Estate the outgoing chairs of the Techincal Committee. We appreciate all your hard work in 2023!

Breaking News...Tucson City Manager to Step Down

In an unexpected development, Tucson City Manager Mike Ortega has announced he will be stepping down following the completion of the budget. Mr. Ortega served in the capacity for 8+ years and worked closely with SAHBA on numerous important industry matters. We wish him well in his future endeavors. 

Click here to read about the announcement.

Stay on Top of Industry Policy & Regulatory Issues at Technical Committee Meeting

Did you know the SAHBA Technical Committee meeting is open to all members? Be sure to attend our monthly meetings where we review city, county and state ordinances, regulations, and policies relative to land-use planning, zoning and development. This is a great meeting to learn about important issues and engage directly with government staff and officials. 

ADVOCACY

Governor Hobbs Outlines Priorities During State of the State Address  

This week, the start of the legislative session was highlighted by Governor Hobbs second State of the State address. The speech is the Governor’s opportunity to outline policy priorities and set the tone for the session. Topics included: border security; education; healthcare and housing amongst others. Click here to read the summary report provided by SAHBA’s Capitol consultant, Copper State Consulting.

To hear more about what to expect in the legislative session and the 2024 election cycle, don’t miss hearing from Copper State’s founder Stan Barnes at the SAHBA Installation Luncheon on January 19. It’s not too late to register. 

Are You Having Blue Stake Issues?

It’s been brought to our attention that builders and their trade partners are experiencing increased inspections and enforcement of Blue Stake regulations. This has led to numerous fines as well as delays in the delivery of homes. SAHBA is currently monitoring this, hearing from members, and doing our due diligence to see what we can do on your behalf. If you are experiencing these issues, we want to hear from you. Please contact Brendan Lyons at brendan@sahba.org.  

Despite Construction Industry Opposition, City Approved Prevailing Wage Ordinance

Tucson's Mayor and Council, on January 9, passed a Prevailing Wage Ordinance. Moving forward, prevailing wages will be applied to the City of Tucson projects and will adhere to the federal standard for prevailing wages. This excludes previously voter-approved bonds, such as Propositions 101, 407, and 411, affordable housing projects, and any project under the $2 million threshold.  

SAHBA joined many other construction industry organizations including Arizona Subcontractors Association, Arizona Builders Alliance, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors, Arizona Chapter of NAIOP, Arizonans for Fair Contracting, Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, Arizona Multi-housing Association, Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Tucson Asphalt Contractors, Inc. and the Tucson Association of Realtors opposing the measure.  

Member Input Needed: Help Plan Tucson's Future

Plan Tucson invites all community members to participate in upcoming Community Forums, a crucial step in updating the City’s General Plan. This long-range policy document is central to defining the future of Tucson. It addresses vital areas, such as housing, transportation, climate action, and growth. The virtual forum is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, from 5:30-7 p.m. The in-person forum is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Ward 2 Office, 7820 E. Broadway Blvd. (Suite 100). Both forums will have prizes, and the in-person event will have food and family-friendly activities. 

City of Tucson Initiates Process to Increase PDSD Fees

This week, the City Council approved a notice of intent to increase Planning & Development Services fees by 7% over the next two fiscal years. SAHBA expressed in writing to the Mayor and Council and the Tucson City Manager’s Office, concern about its impact on our members and the broader industry. While acknowledging the city's efforts in the development process, we highlighted feedback from members indicating areas for improvement. SAHBA asked to participate in Public and Stakeholder Outreach efforts prior to the adoption of the fees on April 9, 2024, emphasizing our commitment to the Southern Arizona community.  

Tucson Advancing Policy to Allow 3-Way Diverter Valves for Gray Water Application

The proposed policy suggests the use of 3-way diverter valves for Residential Gray Water Piping in new one- and two-family dwellings, providing an option to comply with the City’s Gray Water ordinance. Comments on the proposal will be accepted until January 19. To learn more, join us for our next Technical Committee meeting on January 16. If you have any comments or questions, please contact Brendan at brendan@sahba.org.   

Staying on Top of Permits and Plan Delays in Marana

SAHBA attended a Metropolitan Pima Alliance breakfast meeting featuring a presentation by the Town’s top leadership, Terry Rozema (Town Manager) and Curt Woody (Economic Development Director) for a discussion on development and permitting activity, Development code updates and changes, the Transportation Master Plan and Economic Development Activity. 

SAHBA expressed concerns on behalf of our members on extended delays on permit activity, in which Mr. Rozema has acknowledged staffing shortages and the Town is working toward hiring more to expedite permit turnaround. 

Oro Valley Council Denies Proposed Development

This week, on a 7-0 vote, Oro Valley's Town Council rejected a proposal to rezone an 88-acre plot for high-density residential development, which included two projects, Avilla East and West. The plan for 88 single family for rent homes and 119 single family homes faced opposition from residents concerned about increased traffic and potential crime near Tangerine and Rancho Vistoso. Despite the developer's efforts to address traffic issues, the Council denied the rezoning, leading to the withdrawal of the application. 

Heads Up: New Sidewalk Permitting Process in Sahuarita

Starting February 1, 2024, the Town will require homebuilders to obtain permits for sidewalk installations. For all new Single-Family Residential permits (SFRs) issued, there will be two additional inspections for sidewalk installations: a preliminary sidewalk form inspection and a final sidewalk installation inspection. This will result in an additional $75 inspection fee. For homes permitted before February 1, 2024, builders should continue scheduling sidewalk inspections as they have done in the past. This process will be through the Town’s existing system, Accela, allowing builders to schedule inspections and make payments for these inspections easily. As builder members may be aware, the Town initially proposed a much higher fee and a new process. For additional information, attend the January 16 SAHBA Tech Committee meeting for an update from Carlos Suarez, Construction & Development Manager with Sahuarita. 

MEETINGS & EVENTS

2024 Board Installation Luncheon

Please join us for the inauguration of the incoming 2024 Board of Directors as we celebrate our prior year’s accomplishments and look ahead at the plans for the new year.

January 19, 2024

Westward Look

Registration: 11:30 | Lunch: Noon

To purchase a sponsorship or individual ticket, please contact Courtney Kinion at courtney@sahba.org or 520-918-2363

Habitat for Humanity Presents: Veterans Gaslight Fundraiser

Join Habitat Tucson's Veterans Committee for Veteran’s Build Night at the Gaslight Theater in Tucson. Enjoy their production of "The Curse of the Pirate's Gold". 

Proceeds will fund affordable housing for Veterans in the Tucson Area. 

March 16, 2024

Gaslight Theatre

8:30 p.m.

Volunteers Needed: Pima County Point in Time Street Count

The 2024 Point in Time (PIT) street count is on Wednesday, Jan. 24, from approximately 6-11 a.m. More than 300 volunteers are needed in Pima County to interview people experiencing homelessness to collect data that helps our community provide services to people in need.

Volunteers will be required to take a two-hour training prior to the count. No experience is necessary, but those interested should have a desire to contribute to a communitywide effort to help reduce homelessness in Pima County and be comfortable using an app on a smartphone.

Upcoming Councils & Committees - Mark Your Calendars!

Tech Committee - Tuesday, January 16 at 3:30 p.m. (VIA TEAMS)

Membership Committee - Tuesday, January 25 at 11:30 a.m. (TBD)

Business Referral Exchange (BRE) - Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 a.m. (BBSI)

Sales & Marketing Council - Tuesday, March 12 at noon (Hybrid)

Remodelers Council - Wednesday, March 13th at noon (SAHBA)

• NAHB and a coalition of other organizations have worked with Senate leaders to include an additional $1.2 billion in a spending bill to address the supply-chain crisis for distribution transformers. Click here to read more.

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average hourly earnings for residential building workers increased 4% year over year in November 2023. Click here to read more.

• The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case brought by a California home owner regarding a $23,000 traffic impact fee required to put a manufactured home on a small parcel of land. Click here to read more.

• On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule changing its policy for determining independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standard Act. Importantly, this proposed test will not impact tests by the IRS or other federal agencies. Click here to read more.

Welcome, New Members

Horton Remodeling, Inc.

Royale Interiors LTD, DBA Closet Trends

(Referred by Mike Vasquez, Vasquez Custom Construction)

Dropped Members, Sorry to See You Go

Allegra-Image360

Bank of the West

CrossCountry Mortgage

Edward Jones

Hinkley's Lighting Factory

Movement Mortgage

Presidential Pools & Spas

Quality Construction Services

Remblake Builders LLC

S&R Drywall LLC

Sandbrook Group

Sonoran Pueblo Contracting, LLC

Spec 10 Inc. DBA Exterior Systems

The Craig Libby Company

Tim Rehrmann Team

Titan Restoration Of Arizona

Tucson Rolling Shutters & Screens

US Bank Builder Division

Washington Federal

Wow Real Estate LLC

Zona Services Group, LLC