Prescott City Council appoints Patrick Grady to fill council vacancy after closed-door legal review

The Prescott City Council on May 20 appointed Patrick Grady to a vacant council seat after interviewing three finalists and holding an executive session to review legal issues related to the appointment.

Why it matters: The vote fills an open seat for the remainder of the term and follows a public interview process in which candidates addressed citywide priorities — the 2025 general plan, Highway 89 widening, water from the Big Chino, the city budget and improvements at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds — issues that council members said will shape near-term policy decisions.

Council members interviewed three finalists in a public, timed process that gave each candidate one minute for opening and closing remarks and a set of six standard questions. Candidates were Patrick Grady, Sherry Hannah and Rex Mason. Each discussed the council’s current review of the 2025 general plan, transportation projects, water supply options and budget priorities.

Patrick Grady, introduced by the council as a finalist, said his immediate priority was to "see the general plan make it on the ballot." He told council members he had worked with staff and residents on the Climate and Energy section and expected a revised draft to be published the following Thursday. Grady also said he attended a consultant work session…