Beautification, recreation and tourism to be Holbrook’s focus

A main emphasis of this year’s budget will be revitalization and beautification of Hopi Drive and Navajo Blvd.

This will include an increase in code enforcement as well as policy review and modification, with mention of potential staffing additions. According to Smith, the process begins by combing through the city’s existing code and see what’s still viable and why those haven’t been enforced. “So that’s our first step, where’s the breakdown in enforcement and then address those issues.”

Smith noted that the recently passed updating of the city building code will support the objective as well. Along with the updated codes, new builds on the main streets will have to ensure aesthetic cohesion by requiring adherence to certain guidelines presented by the Planning and Zoning Committee in the near future. “We want it to be appealing to tourists, but most of all to our citizens. That’s really been my focus ever since I was elected. The quality of life for our citizens to come first.”

Smith continued stating, “We have over $300,000 set aside for the abatement of dilapidated buildings,” explained Smith, “We’re not talking about buildings owned by people who are trying their best to make it work. We’re talking about those property owners that have taken advantage of the City of Holbrook for decades.”

She noted that a “slumlord ordinance” is also in the works. “I know this will make some landlords and tenants nervous, but we won’t overshadow the Landlord and Tenant Act. Those are rights that everybody has. This is basically an ordinance to stop the slumlords that are taking advantage of our most vulnerable citizens, because that’s what it’s about. It’s about those people that are a little more desperate for housing, and they are being taken advantage of.” Smith noted the council will also update the street and sidewalk plan that was created five years prior.

A focus on parks and recreation was also discussed. “Something we’re really wanting to concentrate on too is creating a master plan for all our parks and recreation areas. We want good recreation for our citizens.” Defining trails and trailheads was also mentioned along with improving the city’s parks. “We have other projects and big dreams for the city. But what assets do we have on our fingertips now?” Smith states trails to be a less costly endeavor that leads to improvement.

Smith noted a surplus in the city’s Lodger Tax funds due to rollover funds that hadn’t been previously spent. She explained that Lodgers Tax funds are required to be used to support tourism. “So we’re floating around some ideas such as what can we do with the Blevins house?” The Blevins House, located on Joy Nevin Avenue, now houses the city’s Senior Citizens Center, but is known as the site of one of the greatest shootouts in the state. The shootout occurred in 1887 between Sheriff Commodore Perry Owens and the Blevins family, a gang of outlaws.

Another important aspect in this budget is the rebranding and marketing the city with hopes of answering the question of what is Holbrook’s identity? Smith explained this will start with giving Holbrook a new logo, which is something the city is currently working on.

For citizens interested in sharing their input, Smith is inviting residents to come to City Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. on July 17, which is located at 465 N. First Ave., to discuss the future of the city’s parks and have their voices heard.

Smith also thanked citizens for voting in favor of the expenditure limitation override, which allows Holbrook to use its entire budget. “Without that, we would be in a $3 million deficit, and we wouldn’t be able to do these beautification projects.” She further encouraged residents to approve the expenditure limitation on the July 30 ballot, which will allow Holbrook to use the entirety of its budgets for the next four years, and not be confined by the state’s lower budget allowance.