Tooth B.U.D.D.S. to move into Pima’s old Town Hall

MiQuel McRae, the founder of Tooth B.U.D.D.S., informs the Pima Town Council about how many have been served by the nonprofit organization, during the Town Council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

PIMA — Tooth B.U.D.D.S. has a new home.

By a 3-1 vote, the Pima Town Council agreed to rent space in the old Pima Town Hall to the nonprofit organization that provides free teeth cleanings to area school children.

Tooth B.U.D.D.S. will pay the town $600 per month, which includes utilities, and the lease is on a month-to-month basis with a 60-day cancellation notice available to both parties.

“For the sake of my employees, and for the sake of my program, I’m hoping that we can stay strong in the community of Pima,” said Tooth B.U.D.D.S. founder MiQuel McRae.

Tooth B.U.D.D.S. needed new space after being informed its current location — an ancillary building of Taylor Freeze — will be torn down for a new development. McRae originally approached the town in December about renting the space; however, the agreement failed to get approval from the Council.

Council member Georgia Luster and Vice Mayor Teresa Bailey were both concerned the public did not get enough information about the proposal, and whether the rent was at a fair-market rate.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Town Manager Vernon Batty informed the Council that in the 30 days since the previous meeting, no other entity approached the town about renting the space.

Bailey said she was satisfied that the town informed the public, and voted with Mayor Brian Paull and Council member Cade Bryce to approve the lease. Luster voted to deny and Council member Lucas Hoopes recused himself from voting due to a conflict of interest.

In 2024, Tooth B.U.D.D.S. provided free teeth cleaning service and screenings to 2,692 students, at a value of more than $1 million, as well as provided 8,157 free tooth brushes and instruction on proper tooth-brushing technique.

Tooth B.U.D.D.S. serves students in Graham, Greenlee and Maricopa counties.

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