The Sedona City Council meeting on September 23, 2025, focused on the development of a new transit service and the importance of community engagement in shaping its future. Key discussions revolved around advertising opportunities, pilot projects in specific neighborhoods, and the need for a robust business plan for a transit maintenance facility.

Council members expressed optimism about potential advertising partnerships that could help fund the new transit service. Stakeholder meetings indicated strong interest from local businesses in advertising, which could provide additional revenue to support the service. The council is exploring private partnerships to enhance funding and service delivery.

The meeting also addressed the pilot projects planned for the Chapel and Sanborn neighborhoods. These projects are designed to test the effectiveness of the new service and address community concerns. The council emphasized the importance of monitoring performance metrics during this test phase to ensure that the service meets the needs of residents without disrupting the overall transit network.

Concerns were raised about public engagement, particularly regarding the low attendance at recent visioning workshops. Council members discussed the need for improved outreach strategies to encourage community participation in the planning process. Suggestions included utilizing paid advertisements and broader media outreach to inform residents about upcoming meetings and solicit their input.

Additionally, the council is working on a business plan for a transit maintenance facility, which is seen as a regional issue. The plan will include outreach to potential partners in the Verde Valley and will be discussed in detail at an upcoming meeting in November. Council members requested that the business case include benchmarking against similar communities to provide context for operational costs.

As the council moves forward with developing service alternatives, they plan to present a decision matrix to evaluate the options based on community feedback and operational feasibility. The goal is to ensure that the new transit service is both effective and well-supported by the community.