The City Council of Prescott convened for a special meeting on August 18, 2025, primarily to discuss the results of the recent home rule election and potential amendments to the city charter. The meeting began with Council Member Freeworth acknowledging the impressive turnout for Proposition 482, which achieved a 76.8% approval rate, marking the highest recorded support for home rule elections in recent history. Freeworth credited the success to an innovative animated video created by Yavapai College intern Sara Saldana, which garnered over 2,900 views, representing nearly 17% of the voters.

Following this acknowledgment, Council Member Montoya raised concerns regarding the current verbiage in the city charter, suggesting that it may require clarification to avoid confusion in future elections. He proposed that the council should discuss potential amendments to streamline the election process and reduce costs associated with campaigning for multiple candidates.

Montoya, who recently lost his election bid, emphasized the importance of upholding democratic processes, stating that accepting election results is a fundamental aspect of governance. He expressed pride in participating in the certification of the election, despite his personal outcome.

Councilwoman Ferroth contributed to the discussion by reflecting on the historical consistency of the charter's election formula over the past 15 to 20 years. She noted that misinterpretations of the charter's language could lead to confusion, particularly for newcomers to the electoral process.

The council members agreed to further explore the possibility of amending the charter to clarify election procedures, with plans to place this discussion on a future agenda. The meeting concluded with a commitment to uphold the integrity of local elections and ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and efficient for all residents.