The Holbrook City Council held a special meeting prior to the regular meeting Wednesday, March 27, during which the council passed two resolutions, one for an alternative expenditure limitation and another for a one-time override election on May 21.
The alternative expenditure limitation and one-time override is to prevent the city’s budget from being confined by limitations set by the state of Arizona, which are lower than the city’s actual budget. An alternative expenditure limitation is typically voted on by the public every four years but was not conducted under previous city management.
If passed during the July 30 election, the alternative expenditure limit will allow the city to use its entire budget for Fiscal Years 2026 to 2029. The one-time override election, held on May 21, will prevent the city from being imposed by the State for FY 2025, until the alternative expenditure limit goes into effect in FY 2026. The alternative expenditure limit will permit the city to spend approximately $12.4 million versus the estimated $8.2 million limit set by the state.
In the regular meeting, Mayor Kathleen Smith proclaimed April as a Happy Holbrook Month, to help recognize simple pleasures, happiness and good deeds. According to the proclamation, “The Holbrook City Council calls upon the citizens of Holbrook to join in recognizing all those associated with making this endeavor a reality[…]” Mayor Smith also encouraged business and entities to decorate in celebration.
To nominate someone, email photos and a paragraph about them to kathleengardnersmith@gmail.com. Nominees will be shared on social media. “I love learning about all the different citizens and all the good that they do here,” Smith stated.
A discussion for consultations for the general plan was also conducted. “This is in regard to the $25,000 grant we received from the APS (Arizona Public Service), SRP (Salt River Project) and TEP (Tucson Electric Power) for the coal community grants,” explained Mayor Smith, “So we were awarded $25,000 to be used to help us update our general plan.”
Smith stated that she spoke to Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) Community and Economic Prosperity Director Evelyn Casuga, who recommended Jessica Sarkissian, owner of UpFront Planning & Entitlements Land Planning and Entitlement Consulting Firm. Smith stated that although she hasn’t reached out to her about this yet, they did correspond in March of last year. “Just to let you know what she had said a year ago, they said that they can help us oversee the update, make sure we are aligning with the state statute requirements and public outreach requirements,” Smith reiterated, “She wrote, ‘You can do it in house and just have us do a red line of chapters when they’re ready and provide comments for suggestions or questions as you go to make sure you don’t accidentally put something in there which insinuates financial cost them to study the future.’” Smith added that this might be the most cost-effective option. She also stated that there might be potential funding from the Arizona State University Just Energy Transition (ASU JET) Center but had no commitment from them.
Councilmembers Tim Dixon and Robert Black stated that they thought the council should go through the general plan without assistance and reach out for help on particular aspects as needed. It was decided the council will continue with their work sessions and see what ASU JET Center can help with in terms of resources since their assistance is free of charge.
The council approved entering into an intergovernmental agreement between the state of Arizona and Holbrook for Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to rebuild and restripe the city’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) track.
The council also approved Holbrook’s membership renewal with Rural Arizona Group Health Trust (RAGHT) for an additional five years. RAGHT provides health insurance for city employees and was set to expire June 30, 2024.
After the regular meeting, the council went into executive session to discuss 12 city manager candidates recommended by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns. After the executive session, the council approved the selection of five potential candidates from those recommended to interview for the position of city manager. Those candidates’ names will be announced to the public pending further vetting from the Arizona League of Cities and Towns. A meet and greet will also be scheduled for the public to meet the candidates on May 1.
