Prescott City Council faces criticism over kayak rental contract awarded to Born to Be Wild

The City Council of Prescott convened on May 13, 2025, to address several pressing issues, primarily focusing on the awarding of a contract for kayak rentals at local lakes. The meeting began with a review of the Parks and Recreation codes, specifically Chapter 15-1-22, which stipulates that no commercial operations are permitted on city grounds without a signed contract from the City Council, with the exception of special events permits.

The discussion quickly turned to the competitive bidding process for kayak rental services, which has become contentious. Prescott Outdoors, a long-standing operator in the area, expressed concerns over the potential awarding of the contract to a competing business, Born to Be Wild Adventures. The owner of Prescott Outdoors highlighted their history of compliance and contributions to the city, claiming that they had paid over a quarter of a million dollars in concession fees and maintained a good safety record. They argued that allowing a competitor who allegedly operated without a proper contract undermines fair business practices.

Several community members voiced their support for Prescott Outdoors, emphasizing the importance of accountability and fairness in the bidding process. They raised concerns about the criteria used to evaluate the bids and questioned the transparency of the decision-making process. One speaker pointed out that the contract being used was a generic service provider contract rather than a specific concessionaire contract, which they argued was inappropriate for the situation.

In response, Mariah Dilbeck, the owner of Born to Be Wild, defended her business practices, stating that she had received the necessary permissions from Parks and Recreation to operate and had complied with all requirements. She expressed disappointment over the allegations against her business.

Councilman Gamboge acknowledged the complexity of the situation and expressed disappointment in the level of discourse during the meeting, urging a focus on facts rather than personal attacks. He noted the significant numerical difference in the bids and emphasized the need to adhere to the established bidding process.

As the discussion progressed, Councilman Montoya raised concerns about the implications of postponing the contract award, suggesting that it could set a dangerous precedent for future bids. However, after considerable debate, a motion was made to postpone the decision for further review, allowing time to clarify the evaluation process and ensure transparency.

The council ultimately agreed to revisit the contract in a month, recognizing the need for a thorough examination of the bidding process and the contracts involved. The meeting concluded with a commitment to uphold fair business practices and ensure that all parties involved are treated equitably.