Prescott City Council May 2023

The Prescott City Council met for the May meeting last night and approved the ordinances for the levy of one-cent sales tax in Prescott, to be determined by citizens in a special election, to pay for the over 2 million dollar electric bill from the winter storm of 2021. Council members discussed this in previous meetings, and because the only two options for getting the bill paid were the sales tax or raise citizens' electric bills, they determined the sales tax, if passed in the election, was more cost-efficient for citizens. Since the tax applies to anything retail, every traveler from I-30 or tourist passing through Prescott who makes a purchase will also be paying the sales tax; therefore, the brunt of this bill would not be left to Prescott citizens only. The tax has a sunset clause that says when the cost of the bill paid to SWEPCO is complete, then the tax ends. The special election will be held in August.

Council members also passed Resolution #2 of 2023 to name the baseball/softball field at McRae Park after Floyd Robinson, a Prescott native who went on to become a pro-baseball player. Robinson was with the Chicago White Sox for nine seasons, as well as other pro teams.

In other business, Council members amended the ordinance on electrical deposit refunds. Previously, customers were receiving six percent interest each year from their deposit. The amended ordinance gives customers an interest per annum payment of the same rate the city receives the previous calendar year. Electric Operations Manger Larry Jones said this will stop the city from having to pay out more money than they have.

During committee reports, Chamber Director Jamie Hillery updated the Council on recent events, including the annual chamber banquet, and congratulated Council member Howard Austin on receiving the Treasure of Gold Award. Hillery also shared that the annual cleanup would be moved back to the fall this year. In other news, she said that the cancelled Springs of Hillcrest Community Coffee would be rescheduled for June 6th.

In her report, EDO Director Mary Godwin shared the latest information about Leadership Nevada County attending the Quality of Life session. She said the class heard from many civic leaders in the community and learned about their respective organizations, and in the afternoon, they joined the Leadership class from Camden at White Oak for a tour. She also gave Council members an update on the house and yard cleanup and said they would have an updated list soon.