Mayor Young responds to recall petition statement

Unfortunately, many high priority needs have been neglected over a number of years prior to the hiring of City Manager Soltis and of my election as mayor. The City of Holbrook has an old official strategic plan that still provides guidance but is also on the list of items to be updated. In the meantime, City Manager Soltis is working on foundation building which has been neglected for decades. He has successfully been working on all aspects of the city’s business and the city is benefiting—budgeting which has allowed expenditures for capital items in various departments, stabilizing the city’s enterprise funds, cleaning up the city, updating and renovating city hall, the city gym, city community centers, city parks, expanding the cemetery, giving employees raises, paying down the debt of the police retirement system, and more.

“Under his leadership, he has allowed City Manager Ted Soltis to manipulate and disregard proper procedures and decorum to the detriment of citizens and employees.”

I have no idea what this is referencing. City Manager Soltis follows procedures and has a professional decorum. Whenever residents bring complaints to my attention or to the attention of council members, Ted is quick to respond. Every action Ted takes is to move Holbrook forward for all residents, not just for a select few.

“Young has allowed relations to degrade with outside municipalities and organizations, and has elevated the office of Mayor above what is authorized by the Charter.”

The city manager and I have good relations with area municipalities, routinely attending the Apache and Navajo Counties’ Mayors and Councilmembers Association (ANCMCA) meetings, as well as other meetings as scheduled.

I am not sure what is meant by “elevating the office of Mayor above what is authorized by the Charter, but in reviewing the City Charter’s list of duties of the mayor in Section 2.07, I have faithfully executed the Duties of the Mayor as listed:

(a) Chairperson of Council – The Mayor shall be the Chairperson of the Council and preside over its meetings.

(b) Voice and Vote in Council Proceedings – The Mayor may make and second motions, and shall have a voice and vote in all Council Proceedings.

(c) Head of City Government – The Mayor shall be recognized as head of the City Government for all ceremonial purposes and by the Governor for purposes of martial law, and shall have executive, but no regular administrative, duties.

(d) Appointments – The Mayor shall appoint members to various committees, boards and commissions after due official notice to the public and with the consent of the Council.

Furthermore, in the Appendix to the Charter, under “Code of Conduct for Elected Officials and Advisory Board Members,” I can honestly say I am proud of the way City Council, city staff, and myself conduct ourselves in meetings. I encourage all of Holbrook’s residents to watch city council meetings from the comfort of their homes and see for themselves.

“Through his leadership, Young has allowed Manager Soltis to understaff the City workforce, eroding the safety and morale of city employees and of the residents of Holbrook.”

No safety related positions have been eliminated. As employees have retired, the workloads have been assumed by other staff members. The salary savings have been used for giving pay raises, repairing and replacing equipment, paying for the minimum wage increase, health insurance, and supplies. This minimizes the need to increase rates, fees, and taxes. City Manager Soltis summarizes all of these decisions during the budget process. All citizens can read his annual budget messages which serve as the introduction to each year’s budget.

“Young facilitated the cancellation of the 2020-2021 election cycle and extended the terms of his office and that of Council in violation of city charter.”

I did not facilitate the cancellation of the 2020-2021 election cycle. Based on direction given by the State to consolidate elections, Resolution 20-01 was passed which states, “The City desires to participate with the County in consolidated election to increase voter turnout as prescribed in A.R.S. 16-204.01A.” Furthermore, Ordinance 21-03 outlines the reasoning – to be in conformance with state law – for consolidating election dates set by the State.

“Young has reached beyond the charter duties allotted to the mayor and given himself the responsibility to approve financial activity in concert with Soltis.”

Resolution 19-18 states, “Two signors: one elected official, the Mayor and in his absence, the Vice Mayor, and one staff member, the City Manager and in his absence, the City Clerk or Finance Director, are authorized to act for and on behalf of the City in any matter involving the City’s depository accounts and are further authorized to sign on behalf of the City and implements for and in the name of the City, the terms and all agreements, instruments, drafts, certificates, or other documents relating to any depository accounts or other business of the City including, but not limited to payroll agreements, repurchase agreements, night depository agreements, funds transfer agreements or safe deposit agreements.” This procedure was put in place to limit the possibility of fraud. Prior to this procedure, a literal rubber stamp of a previously recalled mayor, was used by staff to approve checks.

“Young has allowed scheduled Council meetings to be cancelled, ignoring the many needs facing the City. In addition, Young has given Soltis the authority to control the City Council Agenda.”

Per City Charter, only one meeting a month is required and per City Code, the city manager sets the agenda: The City Charter, Section 2.13(a) states “The Council shall meet at least once a month” and Holbrook City Code 1-2-3 states, “the City manager shall … prepare an agenda.” The few meetings that have been cancelled have mainly been cancelled when the City Manager was out of town or during holidays, and never to the detriment of the “needs facing the City.”