Mayor Phil Goode, City of Prescott | City of Prescott website
Mayor Phil Goode, City of Prescott | City of Prescott website
As the new year begins, Prescott's Mayor has expressed optimism for a dynamic and productive 2025. This outlook is partly due to the approval of Proposition 478 last November, which aims to enhance public safety agencies by improving emergency response times. Plans are underway for new facilities, equipment, and staffing.
In December, the City Council outlined three primary goals: constructing two fire stations, addressing workforce housing needs, and attracting new businesses through economic development. These initiatives aim to bolster Prescott's economic resilience, accessibility for working families, and overall safety.
Funding from a .95% sales tax increase will support the capital costs associated with the fire stations. The tax will take effect on April 1, 2025. Locations for these stations will be identified in early 2025 with construction expected to start later in the year. The goal is to have both stations operational by late 2029. Additional plans include police substations and an evidence storage facility alongside recruitment efforts for police officers and firefighters.
The Mayor emphasized that funds from this sales tax will be exclusively used for public safety improvements. Citizens can track city spending via the OpenGov online platform launching soon.
To address workforce housing challenges, a committee has been established to assess community needs using state grant funds in 2025. This assessment aims to identify gaps in housing affordability—a nationwide issue—and guide future actions toward attainable housing development.
Given that Prescott's General Fund relies heavily on sales tax revenue, there is a focus on recruiting retailers and service businesses to expand the tax base. Industries such as healthcare, aviation, cybersecurity, high technology, manufacturing, and skilled trades are seen as crucial for economic growth.
The Mayor plans to release a State of the City video updating residents on these matters along with financial updates and other relevant information. The video will premiere at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on January 16 at Elks Theatre before being available online.
For more details about the annual meeting or other inquiries contact the Chamber at 928-445-2000.
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