Prescott council seeks direction to hire consultant, form steering committee for Frontier Days fairgrounds

Prescott — City Manager Dalen Kimble told the Prescott City Council on Jan. 28 that the city must take responsibility for maintenance and long-term planning at the Prescott Frontier Days fairgrounds and asked the council for direction to hire a consultant and create a steering committee to develop a shared vision for the site.

"My assessment at this point is the city has not done a good enough job of maintaining and managing this property," City Manager Dalen Kimble said, urging a reset of planning and management for the 34-acre site that hosts the annual rodeo and other community uses.

The council discussion matters for two immediate reasons: the site requires extensive infrastructure repair and upgrades, and State Treasurer-held funds of $15.3 million are currently available pending state action. Kimble said the city faces "at least $10,000,000 in water, sewer, power infrastructure, underground" work and other needs including restrooms, grandstands and HVAC. He recommended a consultant-led planning process, a steering committee representing rodeo users, neighbors and other stakeholders, and possible lease or zoning adjustments to align future uses with the plan.

Kimble framed the work as part repair of deferred maintenance and part community planning to reduce neighborhood impacts such as noise, traffic and dust. He noted two documents that shape the city’s obligations and process: the 2016 lease (which contains a paragraph assigning infrastructure maintenance responsibility to the city and a paragraph noting the city would "contemplate" a future vision) and a 2023 city resolution that lays out a public process including multiple public meetings.

Council members broadly expressed support for beginning a planning process while stressing safeguards. Councilman Joe Moore thanked the city manager and urged a long-term, codified maintenance plan so future elected officials and managers do not abandon the effort. Councilman Montoya and Councilman Gambo Ghe said they supported using a consultant and a steering committee to produce an objective plan. Councilwoman Freeworth asked that at least one or two council liaisons attend meetings to stay informed.

Deputy City Manager Mike Morris was named by Kimble as the staff lead for the effort. Kimble said the city would follow its procurement rules and likely issue a request for proposals for the consultant; Councilwoman Freeworth proposed including $150,000 in the fiscal 2026 budget to fund the consultant work.

Public comment reflected a range of concerns and priorities. Supporters of preserving the rodeo and capturing economic benefit from the annual event said the site is essential to the city's brand and local businesses; a board member of Prescott Frontier Days, Kimberly Lopez, said the organization wants to work with the city and that the group filed its 2023 tax return on extension. Neighbors and other speakers asked for fiscal transparency from Prescott Frontier Days (PFD) and for assurance that city funds would not underwrite an expansive private plan. Bonnie McMinn and Ralph Hess, among others, pressed the council for full financial disclosures and for answers about PFD’s 2023 Form 990 filings and transfers among related organizations.

Several residents urged design choices to reduce neighborhood impacts, including rerouting the main event entrance to Rodeo Drive/Miller Valley rather than on Gale Gardner to limit traffic through adjacent homes; others urged that the plan consider multiuse functions for the 34 acres so the site serves the community year-round beyond the July event.

City staff and PFD representatives also discussed process limits the city faces: Kimble said legislation filed by state Sen. Mark Finchem may affect how the $15.3 million is allocated, and several speakers noted ongoing legal challenges in state court related to the appropriation. Kimble said the city's intent is to pursue the planning process while respecting existing leases and legal constraints.

No formal council vote was recorded at the meeting. Instead, council members voiced support for moving forward with the steps Kimble outlined: (1) form a steering committee including rodeo representatives, neighbors and other users; (2) issue an RFP and select a consultant experienced in multiuse event/fairground design and community engagement; and (3) have Deputy City Manager Mike Morris lead the city’s work and coordinate public meetings. Staff said procurement rules would apply to consultant selection and to any construction contracting.

Next steps identified by staff include drafting an RFP for consultant services, establishing the steering committee membership and schedule, and returning to the council with a recommended contract and budget timeline. Council members emphasized that the process should be highly public, follow the 2023 resolution's meeting expectations, and seek to reconcile neighborhood concerns, the rodeo organization's needs and the site's potential as a year‑round community asset.

The meeting included a brief moment of silence at the start to recognize the passing of former Mayor Rolly Simmons. The study session then adjourned after the steering‑committee and consultant discussion concluded.