Campaign Updates

Council Retreat Outcomes

I'm really pleased with the outcome of the City Council retreat in December 2025 because we're already making progress on much of what I've detailed as either Key Themes or Key Issues for my campaign! First of all, the Council was able to reduce what has historically been a very long list of priorities, which have numbered 15 to 20 or more, to just 4 for fiscal year 2027. It doesn't mean that work will cease on what was previously called a priority, but less time will be spent by city staff on presentations and updates on these less pressing topics so more effort can be applied to the few that made the short list.

Here is what made the short list:

1. Housing – Council was unanimous that Housing remains a top priority for our community for the reasons I outlined in my Key Issues list.
2. Community – Council was also unanimous that enhancing the sense of Community for residents and businesses is a critical need. This topic is on my Key Themes list.
3. Economic Diversification – We had a spirited discussion about this topic, and I was pleased it was made a priority as it is part of my Key Issues list.
4. Transportation – You can't have a Sedona priority list without Transportation, which is why it too is on my Key Issues list.

As we discussed potential priorities at the retreat, I offered up that I thought Engagement needed to be one since it is on my Key Themes list. My Council colleagues agreed but with a twist. The consensus was that Engagement is in fact critical but that it is an overarching need for any and all priorities or projects. This was really gratifying to see Council come together on this issue like this! Subsequently, I proposed and Council agreed that starting in fiscal year 2027, one out of every four Council work sessions will be held outside of council chambers with one to two key topics on the agenda. The topics will be of a significance for which Council needs to gain community input and to receive it well before the matter comes in front of Council for a vote. The idea is to have round table discussion with one council member and one city staff person per table and to really dig into some issues that affect our community. While this is set to be incorporated throughout fiscal year 2027, we will have our first meeting like this on April 29, 2026.

Along with Councilors Dunn and Furman, we proposed that performance management dashboards be created once the city's new ERP implementation is complete. A Council subcommittee will be voted on in January 2027 to work on further defining this effort and the possible drafting of a scope of work for a future performance auditor role as I outlined in my Key Theme on Transparency.

Overall, I really couldn't be happier over the inclusion of my Key Themes and Key Issues into the Council priorities plan for fiscal year 2027!

Candidate Petition Signatures

Thank you to all who have signed my petition to be placed on the ballot for the Sedona Mayoral election in 2026. I recently acquired the statutory minimum number of signatures but will be continuing to collect them for some time to come.