Elections

City Council, mayoral candidates address water issues at CWAG forum

CWAG, public ask questions during forum

All but two candidates running for Prescott City Council or Mayor this election season were present to provide their views on water issues facing the Prescott area during this year’s Citizens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) candidate forum Saturday.

Mayoral candidate files defamation lawsuit

Attorneys will seek names of donors behind mailers

Shedding light on who paid for two recent “dark-money” campaign mailers will be central to a defamation lawsuit that lawyers for mayoral candidate Mary Beth Hrin filed this week.

Prescott city primary voting starts Aug. 2

Early voting for the Prescott Primary Election begins Wednesday, Aug. 2, and continues through Tuesday, Aug. 29, Yavapai County Recorder Leslie Hoffman announced.

Debating 443 PRO: Backers say tax will cover PSPRS debt

Over the next 10 years, the City of Prescott predicts that a 0.75-percent sales tax increase would generate upwards of $11 million annually.

Debating 443 CON: Solve long-term issues before taxing public

In the eyes of opponents of Prescott’s Proposition 443, a sales tax increase will do nothing more than deal temporarily with the city’s budget issues.

‘Hit piece’ flyer overshadows Prescott candidate forum

For two hours Thursday evening, July 28, eight of the nine Prescott Mayor and City Council candidates responded to questions on hot-button issues such as Proposition 443, airport expansion, and job creation.

PSPRS committee meeting canceled over politics; Campbell to meet as ‘town hall’ anyway

The Wednesday, July 26, meeting of the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) in Prescott is still on but will be a town hall meeting, said Rep. Noel Campbell.

Official: To fix pensions, first change constitution

Voter-approved protection limits reform efforts

With a statewide pension shortfall totaling $7.7 billion, the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) has long been on the receiving end of reform measures.

Candidates Q&A: Economic development

With approval of a consultant contract in February 2017, the City of Prescott has renewed its push for economic development — especially for high-tech companies that could benefit from the proximity to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Candidate Q&A: Is the Big Chino Water Ranch pipeline realistic?

With monitoring and modeling studies continuing, the Big Chino Water Ranch pipeline has been in a holding pattern for the past five years or so.

Candidate Q&A: Is privatization of city services a good option?

Are there any enterprise funds the city should no longer be operating (airport, golf course, garbage collection)?

Candidate Q&A: Open space - Should the city be buying more of it?

About a year ago, the Prescott City Council agreed to set aside $3.8 million in the 2017 city budget for open space acquisitions.

Candidate Q&A: Prescott Airport — Does it need improvements?

Prescott council, mayor hopefuls weigh in on Prescott Airport improvements

As the City of Prescott has focused on a need for heightened economic development, one deficiency has consistently emerged: the Prescott Municipal Airport.

Candidate Q&A: Prop. 443 — yes or no?

Prescott council, mayor hopefuls weigh in on sales tax increase, and what happens if it fails

Framing much of the 2017 Prescott City Council campaign to date has been the city’s more than $78 million shortfall with the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

How did Prescott get into PSPRS trouble?

Prescott suffered from pension fund's financial challenges

The first wave hit in 2001-02 with the “dot.com” crash. Soon after, Arizona’s public-safety pension fund was battered again by another, even larger, wave with the 2008-09 “great recession.”

Candidate meet-and-greet set for July 24

Prescott residents will have an opportunity to “meet and greet” Prescott City Council candidate Phil Goode at a July event.

Forum: Voters looking for answers from candidates

Las Fuentes forum attracts more than 200 citizens

Parking and seating spaces were at a premium at the Las Fuentes Resort Village Wednesday, July 12, when the candidates running for Prescott City Council and Mayor met up for a public forum.

Arizona declines request for extensive voter info

Reagan changes mind, won’t comply with Trump commission

PHOENIX — Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan has done an about-face and now says the state won’t provide extensive voter registration information to the Trump administration.

PSPRS: ‘Financial freefall,’ or reformed system?

State Legislative ad hoc committee kicks off PSPRS study effort

The six state legislators serving on an ad hoc committee appointed to look into the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) heard a variety of views last week about the status of the pension system, as well as its impact on local governments.

Council Candidate Profile: Joe Viccica

This is part of a series of profile articles on the candidates running for Prescott Mayor and City Council in the Aug. 29 primary. The profiles will focus on the candidates’ backgrounds, while a future series will question the candidates on current local issues.

Council Candidate Profile: Alexa Scholl