Sedona council authorizes payment for Dig Studios work, defers contract extension after public criticism

The Sedona City Council on Sept. 23 authorized payment for past services by Dig Studios on the Western Gateway master plan and voted to defer consideration of a proposed contract amendment until staff provides an itemized breakdown of work already completed and any remaining obligations.

Councilor Kinsella moved to authorize payment for completed work and to defer further action on the proposed amendment; the motion passed 6–1, with one dissenting vote. The proposed amendment had sought to revise the contract to allow Dig Studios to continue work on additional conceptual drawings and extra stakeholder meetings at a proposed not-to-exceed amount of $106,921.

Why it matters: Councilors and members of the public pressed city staff for greater transparency about what Dig Studios had already been paid to do and what additional work the amendment would fund. Public speakers said the project had prompted substantial public concern and urged the council to pause major spending…