Oro Valley council authorizes additional funding, 6-1, to restore Vistoso Trails pond amid PFAS and access concerns

The Oro Valley Town Council voted 6–1 on April 8 to authorize additional funding to proceed with the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve pond restoration, approving a staff-recommended funding plan that covers the base and alternate contract bids and draws $461,399 from the town’s general-fund contingency.

Councilmember Nicholson moved the funding authorization, stating, “I move to authorize and approve funding for the base bid and alternate bid for the Pond Project in the amount of ... dollars 461,399 from the general fund contingency account.” The motion was seconded and carried by a 6–1 vote.

The decision followed more than two hours of public comment in which residents and organized supporters urged completion of a project they say will restore a long-neglected community amenity and support wildlife. Mark Napier, an Oro Valley resident who said the council had already committed $2 million to the project, urged adoption of staff’s funding option and regular updates, saying the community…