After the potluck meal was underway, with special attention being paid to Ann Jordan's meatloaf and Bruce Bean's sweet potatoes, Mayor Terry Oliver announced a new award for this year. Newcomer of the Year was added to the slate because multiple retirements resulted in nine new city employee hires over the last year, Oliver told the crowd. The 2023 Newcomer of the Year is Eric Stovall. He shared his appreciation with the crowd, saying, "Thank you for the environment and the chance to come work with y'all."

The Newcomer award was followed by the listing of prior years' winners of Employee of the Year, and then the top 10 candidates for 2023 were announced. They are as follows:

Alicia Page
Ricky McAnnally
Shanta Wiley
Austin Beavers
Ann Jordan
Charles "Bubba" Ledbetter
Mark Burnside
Francisco Chavarria
Quinn Hastings
Larry Walker
Jeremy Loe

Since one of the top 10 couldn't be present, number 11 was added to the list. After a group picture, Oliver then announced the top three. Third was Larry Walker and second was Mark Burnside. 

The 2023 City of Prescott Employee of the Year was then announced: Shanta Wiley. Oliver shared some of the praise Wiley has been given by citizens, including remarks like "positive leader," "a customer service expert," and "polite even in the face of opposition," just to name a few. Wiley was then given the opportunity to share a few words in response to the accolade, saying she puts God first which allows her to have the right attitude and spirit each day. Then she shared appreciation for her fellow employees. "I really appreciate opening your arms to me. You've all been very helpful," she said. 

This award was the conclusion of the party, and Prescott's city employees could all be seen giving warm holiday wishes to one another as they left the building.