Phil Goode

During the past year, the City of Prescott has invested in ways to help our citizens move their vehicles more efficiently along some of our major roads. In 2023, we conducted a traffic study to help us better understand how vehicles are moving around the city. This data helped us develop methodologies and employ new traffic detection and signal timing technology to keep traffic moving efficiently. This new technology is designed to help drivers who are moving at posted speeds encounter more green lights on their route. In addition to the new technology, we have stepped up traffic enforcement, particularly speeding. The new technology, combined with enhanced traffic enforcement, makes a strong case for traveling within posted speed limits around Prescott.

Readers may recall my letter from March 1 of this year. In it, I stated that the Prescott Public Works Department, Streets Division, has now employed some high technology solutions, and has managed signal light timing to optimize traffic flow, keeping traffic moving as efficiently as possible. The main effort in this regard has been on Willow Creek Road (WCR), one of the busier streets in Prescott. The nine-and-a-half mile stretch of Willow Creek Road from Gurley Street north to Lone Elk Trail in the Deep Well Ranch area has been the subject of the city’s traffic monitoring and flow efforts.    We have employed a new traffic signal coordination system on Miller Valley Road and Grove Avenue. These systems are now working well. The next streets that are being considered to utilize this new technology are Iron Springs and Sheldon streets.

Signal coordination is the linking together of consecutive traffic signals along a road to minimize stops and delays. The signals communicate between one another to synchronize the signal timing to allow vehicles to arrive on green and continue along the corridor efficiently. Typically, this is done by direction: In the morning, inbound traffic is prioritized, and in the afternoon, outbound traffic is prioritized. The timing process is variable by time of day and day of the week.

What this means for drivers is a more efficient flow of traffic on these streets. In fact, for travelers driving the speed limit, in many cases, there is the possibility of hitting all green lights as you travel in certain conditions.

As we continue to gather data and see success, the city will seek to implement this system in other areas around Prescott. We also will look at other improvements to traffic flow around our city. As an example, based on data from the traffic study, the Prescott City Council recently increased speed limits on two major streets.

For more information about the traffic management system, call the traffic engineering department at 928-777-1130 or email traffic@prescott-az.gov. The main message is to slow down, drive at the speed limit and enjoy the benefits of Prescott’s traffic flow technology, while avoiding costly citations.

Because traffic safety is a priority, citations for unsafe driving have increased. Speed and red light warnings and violations have increased markedly over the past year. In fact, total citations are 35% higher year over year. These enforcement efforts will continue as we strive to keep our streets safe for everyone.

The city will continue to seek ways to help traffic flow more efficiently, while also enforcing traffic and speed laws. For drivers, the message is clear: It is in your best interest to obey posted speed limits. Slow down, enjoy the drive. You might just find you will arrive at your destination sooner and safer than before. QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.

On Aug. 13, Prescott City Council will hold a public hearing regarding proposed impact fees affecting new residential and commercial projects. If council decides to move forward, we will have an Oct. 8 meeting to formally adopt the new rates, which would go into effect Jan. 1, 2025. There have been some concerns expressed about the steep increase in these fees. In this message, I will outline the factors that have made this kind of increase necessary.

First, I would like to provide an overview about impact fees and why they are used in Prescott and other cities and towns. Prescott, like other cities and towns in Arizona, charges impact fees to fund the cost of public infrastructure needed to accommodate growth and development. These fees are levied on new residential or commercial developments and are intended to offset the impacts that new developments have on the local community, hence the familiar phrase that growth should pay for growth. Here are some reasons why impact fees are necessary.

Infrastructure Costs: As new residential and commercial developments are built, they require additional infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, and other public facilities. Impact fees help cover the cost of expanding or upgrading these systems to accommodate increased demand from the new development.

Fairness: Charging impact fees ensures that costs associated with growth, such as new roads or police stations to serve a growing area, are borne primarily by those who directly benefit from the new development.

Revenue Source: Impact fees provide a revenue source to fund essential infrastructure projects. This can be especially important in rapidly growing areas where traditional tax revenues may not keep pace with infrastructure needs.

Planning and Management: By charging impact fees, we can better plan and manage growth. We have the opportunity to use the revenue to strategically invest in infrastructure improvements and ensure that development occurs in a coordinated and sustainable manner.

Overall, impact fees in Prescott and other Arizona cities help to finance necessary infrastructure construction, expansion or upgrades that maintain the quality of services in the city and ensure we can continue to meet community needs.

It should be emphasized that impact fees are only used to pay for one-time capital improvements, like a new fire station or new water pipes to serve a new development and apply only to new construction for residential or commercial properties. Existing residents and businesses do not pay impact fees unless they decide to build a new home or business. In contrast, transaction privilege (sales) taxes support ongoing (year over year) operations costs such as police officer and firefighter salaries or maintenance of an existing road.

In Prescott, we have utility and non-utility impact fees. Utility fees cover costs of needed infrastructure for water service delivery and wastewater treatment. Non-utility fees support the cost of public safety facilities and vehicles, for example, help meet the demand of growth, and maintain service levels as new developments are established. By law, these fees cannot pay for enhancement or improvements to existing services, only enhancements to maintain current service levels.

There has been some concern about the rate of increase in the proposed new impact fees. These increases are necessary for a few reasons.   

In 2008, the State Legislature imposed a moratorium on some impact fees in response to the recession, which hit Arizona particularly hard. Then, in 2012, the legislature eliminated certain categories of impact fees, such as recreation and non-public safety facilities. These changes diminished the city’s ability to collect an amount that would fully maintain the quality of services across the city and mitigate the impacts of new development on our operations. While the city has continuously collected utility impact fees, non-utility impact fees such as streets, police and fire were eliminated following the actions of the state legislature and then reinstated by the city council in 2018, albeit at less than recommended levels.

Over this multi-year span of time, the city continued to grow, and infrastructure and public safety needs increased proportionately. In short, I believe we need these new impact fees to keep up with the increased expansion of the city’s physical infrastructure as well as public safety services. I urge all concerned citizens to participate in the Aug. 13 public hearing and subsequent public discussions. For information about all city meetings, go to Prescott-az.gov. QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.

Recently, after completing financial planning, a public hearing and a workshop, the Prescott City Council approved new water and wastewater rates, set to take effect July 1, 2024. These rates will increase gradually over the next five years, to provide for infrastructure operation and maintenance costs, and ensure funding for replacement or refurbishment of aging water systems. One way to save money on your water bill and conserve water is to install water saving devices. The good news is that you may even be able to receive rebates for some of these devices!

Since 2006, the city has offered our water customers a rebate program to encourage water conservation. There are many rebates for home and business owners who upgrade their appliances and fixtures to high efficiency models. Rebates are also available to reduce outdoor water use, such as rainwater harvesting systems, turf removal and smart irrigation timers. I would like to make our customers aware of these rebates in hopes that more will take advantage of the existing rebate program.

If you are planning to upgrade your home or business with new appliances and fixtures, there are efficient products such as low‐flow toilets, ultra-efficient washing machines and rainwater harvesting systems. These great water conservation rebate opportunities are available to all City of Prescott water customers. Here are some examples of the rebates.

Toilet Rebate

If you replace a toilet with a 1 gallon per flush or less model, you can receive a $150 rebate. Install a 1.0/1.28 dual flush toilet and receive a rebate of $125. A 1.28 gallons per flush toilet will qualify for a rebate of $100. If you are a septic user, you will receive an additional $50 for installing any of these high efficiency models.   

Rainwater Cistern Rebate

Customers who incorporate a rainwater harvesting system can save money and limit use of the municipal water supply. If you install an active rainwater harvesting system, you can receive a water conservation rebate of 50 cents to $1 per gallon of storage, depending on the capacity of your system. There is a maximum rebate of $500.

Turf Removal

Are you thinking about converting your irrigated turf grass to low-water use/drought tolerant landscaping? The city provides a rebate of $1 per square foot of turf removed. For additional details, please contact the city’s Public Works Department.

Smart Irrigation Timer

If you install a WaterSense labelled Smart Irrigation Timer, you can receive a $75 rebate.

Hot Water Recirculation Systems

If you install a hot water recirculation system, you can receive a $150 rebate.

Commercial Urinals

The replacement fixture must be an EPA approved alternative flushless design, flush once at a specified interval or 0.125 gallons per flush to be eligible to receive a $100 rebate.

Ultra-Efficient Washing Machine Rebate

If you replace a washing machine with an ultra-high efficiency model on the Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) washing machine list, you will receive a $200 rebate on your utility bill. If you are a septic user, you will receive an additional $50. Here is the link to the CEE washing machine list:    https://prescottwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2.14.2024-CEE-List-Updated.pdf

These rebates are available to all City of Prescott water customers. Be sure to keep all receipts and visit www.PrescottWater.com for rules and guidelines. For more information or questions, call Public Works at 928-777-1130.

The city is doing its part to enact a sensible water policy so that we can manage growth and responsible water use for years to come. As citizens, it is up to all of us to conserve our precious water resource. QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.

Prescott has so much to offer to our citizens and visitors alike. All throughout the year, but especially this time of year, special events take center stage. During the month of June and early July, Prescott is particularly active with events of all kinds including art fairs, music festivals, car shows and parades, fireworks and, of course, the rodeo. These events offer a variety of experiences catering to our local residents as well as visitors.

Many citizens think that the city organizes all of these fine events. Actually, nearly every special event like this is operated by locally-based non-profit organizations. These events help raise funds while providing a unique experience for our community.

Recently, the Phippen Museum of Western Art hosted the annual Phippen Western Art Show and Sale on the Courthouse Plaza, bringing fine Western artists from all over the world.

Events downtown on the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza in June and early July include the Summer Concert Series beginning June 4, organized by Prescott Downtown Partnership. The Territorial Days art show, June 8-9, and the Prescott Bluegrass Festival, June 22-23, are both organized by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce. The Frontier Days Art Show, July 5-7, is hosted by Prescott Downtown Partnership.

The Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Parade takes place Saturday, July 6, throughout downtown, and is organized by Prescott Frontier Days, Inc. Of course, the Prescott Frontier Days World’s Oldest Rodeo takes place July 1-7, at the historic rodeo grounds. This event brings top riders from around the world and the past several years have seen sell-out audiences.

The city is responsible for two major community events each year. One is the Fourth of July Fireworks. Our dedicated Recreation Services staff work hard to improve these events every year. We are excited about this year’s fireworks event at Watson Lake. For the first time in many years, this year’s Fourth of July Fireworks will offer free admission for those who only want to attend and enjoy the show. There will be a variety of kids’ activities, including bounce houses, for an additional fee.

Some other great events take place at Watson Lake, including the Big Sting Country Music Festival; generally the second weekend in October, the Pure Imagination music festival, generally the third weekend in May; the Watson Lake Classic Car Show coming up Aug. 3; and the Prescott Highland Games Sept. 28-29.

Among the many inspiring cultural performance events each year is the annual Cowboy Poets Gathering. This year marks the 36th event, taking place Aug. 8-10, at various locations throughout Prescott.

The city also organizes the Veterans Day Parade, which is always held on Veterans Day Nov. 11. It is the only Veterans Day Parade in Northern Arizona and features nearly 100 entries. We are very proud of the Veterans Day parade and we are thankful to city staff and the volunteer committee for honoring our veterans.

Of course, November and December usher in Arizona’s Christmas City events, beginning with the Holiday Light Parade on Saturday Nov. 30, the Christmas Parade and Courthouse Lighting on Saturday Dec. 7, and the Acker Night musical celebration Friday Dec. 13.

Everything I have mentioned represents just a portion of events and activities that make Prescott a great place to live and to visit. We hope you enjoy all that Prescott has to offer this month and all through the year. QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.