Mayor and City or Town Council Camp Verde Arizona, Mayoral Candidate Forum, June 18, 2026In Arizona, most cities and towns operate under a council–manager form of government. The Mayor is the city or town’s chief elected official, providing leadership and policy direction. At the same time, a City or Town Manager, appointed by the Council, oversees daily operations and municipal staff. The Mayor typically presides over Council meetings, represents the municipality publicly, and serves as a voting member of the governing body. In most Arizona municipalities, the Mayor does not have independent veto authority; decisions are made collectively by the Council as defined by state law and local charters.The City or Town Council serves as the legislative and policymaking body. Council members adopt ordinances and resolutions, approve the annual budget and capital improvement plans, set local policy priorities, and oversee city operations. They also respond to constituent concerns through public meetings, correspondence, and coordination with city staff. Most Arizona cities and towns hold nonpartisan elections for Mayor and Council, and four-year terms are typical. Why You Should CareThe Mayor and City or Town Council make decisions that directly affect daily life in Arizona communities. They set priorities and allocate spending for essential local services, including police, fire, and emergency medical services; housing and homelessness programs; streets, transportation, water, sewer, and trash services; parks and recreation; zoning and development; and long-term infrastructure planning. These officials also represent their communities in regional planning efforts related to growth, transportation, water resources, and climate resilience. Voting in these local races gives residents a direct voice in how their city or town is governed and how public resources are used.For additional information:https://www.azcleanelections.gov/how-government-works/arizona-mayorhttps://www.azcleanelections.gov/how-government-works/arizona-city-and-town-council-members
Public Policy Priorities
Protect our dark skies, water and Verde River. Protect and preserve the historic character of our town and the natural environment that defines Camp Verde. Ensure our State and Federal Representatives know our concerns and needs.
Qualifications and Experience
I have over 30 years of government experience with the Town of Camp Verde, Coconino County Board of Supervisors, as a contract employee for the Town of Prescott Valley Town Clerk’s Office, as a member of the Camp Verde Unified School District Board of Directors, including a year as president and currently as Camp Verde Vice Mayor. I am in the 2026 Inaugural Class of the League of AZ Cities and Towns Civic Craft Leadership Program designed exclusively for local elected officials. I currently represent the Town on regional committees focused on rural water issues, transportation funding, workforce housing, and economic development. Through these roles, I have established strong relationships with my colleagues in the Verde Valley and with our state and federal representatives. Prior to working for the Town of Camp Verde, I covered Camp Verde and Sedona government news for The Verde Independent/Camp Verde Bugle from 1989 to 1994.
Memberships & Affiliations
National Rifle Association - Life Member, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Phi Kappa Phi Interdisciplinary Honor Society - 2004- present.
Endorsements
Every member of the current Town Council, accept one, has publicly supported me. Former Mayors Dee Jenkins, Charlie German, Tony Gioia, and Brenda Hauser have signed my petition and voiced support for my candidacy.
Community Service
Camp Verde Salvation Army Bell Ringer - 2018- present, Camp Verde School Board member 2003- June 2006, Coordinator for the Camp Verde Marshal's Office Toy Drive -1995-1999, Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce Treasurer 1994, Camp Verde-Beaver Creek Little League Assistant Coach - 1994, Girl Scout Assistant Leader - 1998-2000, participated in multiple Sedona and Verde Valley Forums for Public Affairs beginning in 1989.
Education
A degree in Journalism from Norther AZ University. A Master's in Public Administration with an emphasis in Municipal Planning from Northern AZ University
We can’t stop growth but we can protect what is important to Camp Verde. As Mayor, I will keep the focus on improving codes and policies. As a member of the Manager’s Rural Water Working and General Plan Technical Advisory Groups, I am recommending policies and codes that limit large water users from locating here, require new development to pay their fair share in capacity fees for water/wastewater hook-ups, mandate larger setbacks for commercial developments, and protect the night sky with an updated lighting code.
It is critical to partner with other Verde Valley towns and the Yavapai-Apache Nation. This is happening with the Verde Valley Trails system and the Water Settlement Agreement with the YAN. I believe there are more opportunities to work with our neighbors such as sharing water delivery systems and wastewater treatment facilities. As Mayor, I will continue to build relationships with our Verde Valley partners and seek ways to work together to protect our natural resources.
I support the town creating a fund to assist low income and disabled residents with their Town utility payments should they need it. In addition to a fund to help those who are unable to pay, I would support a lower maximum amount for elderly users and single person households. In my opinion, water and wastewater services are vital to the public’s health and safety. I am willing to look at other alternatives to help residents who are unable to pay their water/wastewater fees. I personally would not support turning off water to residents who are unable to pay their bill. The Town currently has a policy of a one-time fee waiver for an exorbitant surprise bill, such as when the user has an unknown water leak.
Higher capacity fees and hook-up fees for new commercial development will eventually help lower the utility costs for existing users. APS currently has a program to assist with electricity bills. The local Salvation Army also provides utility assistance.
Previously the Town used CDBG funds for disabled, elderly, and lower income home owners to make home improvements. This increases the quality of housing stock and provides safe housing for those who need it. I would support the return of such a program.
I support using CDBG and grants to help first time home buyers save for a down payment. Potential home buyers sign up with the Town or entity the Town partners with. For every dollar the potential home buyer puts into the program, the Town/Entity matches dollar for dollar up to a specific amount. When the goal is reached, the home buyer has a down payment.
I support the Town partnering with non-profits that maintain land trusts for affordable housing. Under a Land Trust, the actual property remains in the trust, with a home owner only owning the physical structure and having a no cost, long-term lease for the land. The house can be sold, but the land remains in the trust, forever taking the value of the land out of the equation.
As the Town grows, the recreation needs will increase. The Town is currently finishing up a Parks and Recreation Master Plan that includes results from a survey. The survey results and national guidelines will be used to determine the number of ball fields, soccer fields, and other parks and recreation facilities that will be needed in Camp Verde based on population. In addition to those resources, I will use our Town’s demographics to determine what parks and recreation services are needed in our community. I will also use the frequency of use of our existing facilities to determine what types of services and facilities need to be changed, improved, or added.
It should be noted that the Town's recreation facilities and services and events are listed in the 2026 General Plan as economic drivers for the community.
Public Policy Priorities
There are sensible growth solutions in the middle and that is where most of this town falls, we need healthy businesses to drive an economy that provides for growth and opportunity. Whether that's in the form of grocery stores, restaurants, retail shops, western recreational tours, it is in the hands of entrepreneurs and we need a pro growth business agenda while maintaining our small town values and protecting our agricultural and equestrian way of life. People want to feel safe in their homes. They want good schools for their kids, access to recreation and to maintain what makes Camp Verde unique. I want to start there on the areas we all agree makes us Camp Verde.
Qualifications and Experience
I am not qualified due to working for the government my whole career or having a fancy education in public administration or aspirations of moving on to better and higher political aspirations. I am uniquely qualified as a lifelong resident and business person with a heart to serve people. I opened my first business here in 1988, a video vending company serving a major restaurant chain statewide. In 2000 my wife, Susi and I opened Arizona Central Land and Home Real Estate Sales, providing residential, commercial and land sales. This experience has provided a sound knowledge of zoning laws, building requirements, property and water rights and how the town operates. I am the only candidate for mayor with this experience. I've watched the direction of the town over the past few years and I think I can do better. I will provide a common sense, transparent approach to leading it, putting hardworking people's interest ahead of land developers or political parties.
Community Service
I have been and am currently an active volunteer for the town of Camp Verde, emceeing all the town parades and events for the past 30 plus years. I am proud of my service as the town's chamber of commerce chair for 5 years. Serving also on the parks and recreation commission as chair, serving people is what it's all about and together, we can protect our rural way of life and make Camp Verde a town where small town values and traditions remain front and center.
Education
I am not a politician or government bureaucrat. I have no interest in a career in politics, other than to serve the community I love and make it a better place to live. My family has lived in Camp Verde for 5 generations, and after seeing the town heading in the wrong direction for the past few years, I couldn't just stand by without doing something.
The Verde River is our lifeblood. We must continue to work with people that do habitat restoration, invasive species eradication and cleanup activities along the waterway. As a town , we must work with all interested parties to improve the health of the river through partnerships that encourage conservation, smart storm water and irrigation practices on river recreation and keeping our treasured waters clean.
I would support APS ' s current policy for extreme heat or extreme cold
Accelerate development approvals by eliminating permitting roadblocks and reducing local fees and red tape. By making our planning and building department more user-friendly, allowing more people to build lower cost homes utilizing the current building regulations for the safety of our citizens, along with keeping the rural characteristics of our town.
I would ensure transparency through open discussions and public feedback. Given the town's large financial stake in the Camp Verde equestrian center, I would make sure there was assurances that the money is spent wisely. However, micromanaging an association that hosts so many successful events is not necessary. The center was the hub of so much that makes Camp Verde special and as mayor I would actively seek a solution that sees to the use of the facility open again and contributing to our quality of life and more things to do for our children and youth.
