As the weather gets warmer, water use increases around the City of Prescott as many citizens and businesses increase their outdoor water use. This is a great time to think about water conservation, especially following a very dry fall and winter. The city offers many water conservation incentives, including free water saving items for fixtures, outdoor watering accessories and nine different types of rebates. I would like to make our citizens aware of these opportunities in hopes that more will … [Read more...] about City Rebates Make Sense for Water Conservation Efforts
City of Prescott
Signal Timing Coordination to Improve Traffic Flow
We have all noticed an increase in traffic in Prescott over the past few years. As more automobiles and other vehicles use our roads, it is important to keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely. The Prescott Public Works Department Streets Division has employed some high-technology solutions and has managed signal light timing to optimize traffic flow – all to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible. The main effort in this regard has been on Willow Creek Road (WCR), one of the … [Read more...] about Signal Timing Coordination to Improve Traffic Flow
Reporting the State of the City of Prescott
Every year, I have the opportunity to give a presentation on the state of the City of Prescott to the Prescott Chamber of Commerce at their annual meeting. I am pleased to share some of the highlights of that presentation for our readers. I would like to begin by congratulating returning Councilmembers Cathey Rusing and Connie Cantelme. Connie has been named Mayor Pro Tem as well. I would also like to extend a welcome to new Councilmembers Ted Gambogi and Lois Fruhwirth, and wish them much … [Read more...] about Reporting the State of the City of Prescott
Land Auction Sets Stage for Glassford Dells Regional Park
Representatives of the Town of Prescott Valley, the City of Prescott, and Yavapai County gathered on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at the Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott for the long-awaited auction of nearly 2,300 acres of land on Glassford Hill between the two communities. The open space is planned for a regional park through an intergovernmental agreement with the two municipalities and the county. Those attending the historic auction also included State Representative Selina Bliss, Senator Ken … [Read more...] about Land Auction Sets Stage for Glassford Dells Regional Park
Neighborhood Services: Keeping Our City Clean and Safe
Keeping our city clean, safe and free of unsightly debris, litter and trash is an important objective of mine. Every town and city has to address situations where private property falls into disarray and disrepair because of a variety of circumstances. In the City of Prescott, the Neighborhood Services Division deals with a variety of code compliance issues related to private property maintenance and appearance. Our Code Compliance inspectors handle issues including signs in city right of … [Read more...] about Neighborhood Services: Keeping Our City Clean and Safe
Updating Ordinances
During my time as a councilmember and mayor, there have been many instances of antiquated, outdated and sometimes ineffective ordinances that were not consistent with our current times, or the real-world environment. In addition, several judicial decisions and case law have affected some of these ordinances. For that reason, I have been working with the city attorney and his team to identify and update some highly visible ordinances, to meet the test of modern times. A few of these are … [Read more...] about Updating Ordinances
How Prescott is Funded for City Needs
As we conclude budget approval for Fiscal Year 2024, which begins on July 1, questions arise about the city’s tax structure and how we are funded. Many are surprised to learn that transaction privilege tax (TPT, or sales tax) is the primary source of revenue for the city’s general fund, which pays for public safety and other critical city services. Property tax in Prescott accounts for less than 4% of revenue for the general fund. As growth continues in and around Prescott’s city limits, the … [Read more...] about How Prescott is Funded for City Needs
Scenic Granite Dells Acreage Added to Open Space
After decades of negotiation, the City of Prescott closed escrow on 302 acres of the Storm Ranch property, which adds to the iconic Granite Dells area on the northeast edge of the city. The land, valued at $8,461,808, closed escrow on Oct 5. City officials praised the purchase of the additional land. In an exclusive statement to the Quad Cities Business News, Prescott Mayor Phil Goode said, “The city’s purchase of the 300-plus acres was an important step in the city’s ongoing effort to … [Read more...] about Scenic Granite Dells Acreage Added to Open Space
Undertaking the Updated General Plan
The City of Prescott is about to undertake the update and adoption of the 2025 General Plan. The General Plan is the public document that guides the future of a city. Per Arizona Revised Statutes, a city’s land development decisions must be consistent withthe adopted General Plan. Cities under a population of 50,000 must have the following elements in their plans: Land Use, Circulation, Open Space, Growth Areas, Environmental Planning, Cost of Development, and Water Resources. General Plans … [Read more...] about Undertaking the Updated General Plan
Mayor’s ‘State of the City’ Report: Business Climate is Robust
Recently, I was asked to provide an address on the State of the City at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. This provided me with an excellent opportunity to reflect on and share where we are now as a city and where we are going. As I mentioned last month, we are transitioning city leadership among our recently elected officials. I am pleased to say that with several meetings completed, the new council is working well together. The open call to the public has been successful, and … [Read more...] about Mayor’s ‘State of the City’ Report: Business Climate is Robust
