During last week’s meeting of the Holbrook City Council the council approved a resolution formally calling for a 2026 primary and general election and setting the legal framework for how the election will be conducted. The resolution establishes an Aug. 10 primary election date, with a Nov. 3 general election if runoff races are required, which aligns with state and federal elections. Three four-year council seats and because of a councilmember left their seat a two-year unexpired term will also be on the ballot. Those seats are currently filled by Robert Black, Arcenia Pacheco, Karina Pack and Roxanne Pergeson.
The resolution also places four proposed amendments to the Holbrook City Charter before voters. Three of the proposed changes were previously submitted to voters and failed in the city’s 2025 special election, including proposals to eliminate the appointed city’s Treasurer position, raise the voter-approval threshold for certain large public expenditures from $500,000 to $1 million and revise charter language related to gendered terms. The other one would adjust the timeframe for canvassing election results to align with current state law.
Following the meeting Mayor Kathleen Smith said the proposed amendments are intended to improve clarity and consistency within the charter. “There are four proposed Charter amendments that the council would like to put on the ballot, all of which are aimed at clarity, consistency, and good governance,” Smith said. “Three of these amendments were previously taken to the voters, and we are bringing them back because we believe we can do a better job explaining the purpose behind the requested changes.”
Smith pointed specifically to the proposed removal of the city treasurer position from the charter, noting that while voters previously chose to keep the position, it has never been filled. “Instead, we operate with a finance director and undergo annual independent audits, which already provide the financial oversight intended by that position,” she said. “Maintaining an additional title that does not reflect how the city actually operates creates confusion rather than accountability.”
Council’s action does not approve or reject the proposed amendments but instead authorizes their placement on the ballot for voter consideration. Smith said it is important that voters clearly understand the reason behind the proposals before casting ballots. “These recommendations came from a strictly citizen-led committee, and it’s important that the community clearly understands why the amendments were suggested,” she said. As with prior charter elections, any amendments approved by voters would still require review and certification at the state level before taking effect, as required under Arizona law for charter cities. Administration of the election will be coordinated by the city clerk in partnership with Navajo County Elections. Election costs were estimated at $2 per registered voter, plus actual costs for postage, advertising and poll workers.
The council also approved an action authorizing the city to formally explore opportunities for a joint-use facility in partnership with Navajo County, Holbrook Unified School District and Northland Pioneer College. The authorization allows city staff to participate in interagency discussions to assess potential sites, shared-use scenarios, funding models and operational needs to expand services and opportunities for residents.
Smith said the discussion was prompted in part by aging facilities and overlapping community needs. “The city pool has been on its last leg for a while, so we know we need a new pool in the near future,” Smith said. “As we’ve talked with the school district about their interest in a potential new gym, it made sense to at least explore whether those needs could come together in one shared civic center.”
She emphasized that the item doesn’t commit the city to anything — it simply allows an official conversation to start. “There are more questions than answers right now, including funding sources, responsibilities and what amenities the space could realistically include. Approving this item is about taking a thoughtful first step to see whether a joint-use civic center is even feasible.”
No formal agreements or commitments were approved as part of the action and any proposals resulting from the exploratory discussions would return to the council for future consideration.
A memorandum of understanding with the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce was also approved. The updated agreement serves as an interim arrangement for the remainder of the current budget year following changes in the chamber’s leadership structure. Under the agreement, the city will provide $2,400 per month, totaling $14,400 for the remainder of the fiscal year, to support chamber operations related to business support, tourism promotion and community activities. The agreement is scheduled for review prior to the next fiscal year.
The final agenda item discussed saw the approving of the purchase of a new John Deere utility tractor to support maintenance operations in the city’s parks, golf course and street department. The tractor will be used for grading, mowing and other routine maintenance tasks and is intended to reduce reliance on contracted services. The total purchase cost is $66,671.03 and will be funded through the Parks Department budget.
During the meeting the board also approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
