The Prescott City Council Subcommittee on Water Issues voted unanimously to recommend 25 acre‑feet for both residential and nonresidential semiannual water budgets for the January–June 2026 period. Member Freeworth moved the recommendation and the mayor seconded; the motion passed 3–0.

Staff presenting the recommendation, Bridal Reese, Water Resources Manager in Community Development, told the subcommittee that under the amended 2022 water management policy guidelines the city sets semiannual budgets in June and December. Reese said the current semiannual allotments are 25 acre‑feet for residential developments and 25 acre‑feet for nonresidential developments and reviewed projects approved administratively for the July–November 2025 period.

Reese reported administratively approved residential projects totaled 1.76 acre‑feet for the July–November 2025 review period, leaving a remaining residential budget of 23.24 acre‑feet for that cycle. For nonresidential projects, five were administratively approved and one (the Aspire Casitas project) was council‑approved, together using about 4.05 acre‑feet and leaving approximately 20.96 acre‑feet remaining.

Committee members pressed staff on how actual requests compare with estimates and whether unused water can carry forward. Reese said carryover is permitted under the policy and that historically a lower percentage of estimated demand actually converts into permit requests during the budget period. Chelsea Walton, Community Development Director, clarified location details for several likely projects mentioned in the forecast.

Member Freeworth explained her recommendation after reviewing past trends: "I, studied this and compared to what's been happening the last 2 years that I've been on this committee, and I think given this expected range, and potential, I think 20 continuing the 25 for each, for the next, January through June is where I personally landed." The subcommittee then moved the recommendation to the full council for final action.

The subcommittee recorded the recommendation for the council agenda; staff said the item is targeted to be considered at the next council meeting scheduled as part of the normal approval timeline. The subcommittee did not approve any ordinance or change to policy at this meeting — it forwarded a recommendation for the council's vote.