Prescott committee delays study session after consultant misses housing plan deadline

The Prescott City Workforce Housing Committee postponed a planned study session after a contracted consultant failed to deliver the housing plan and implementation materials on schedule, members said.

Speaker 1, who provided staff updates to the committee, told members the consultant had prepared the financial analysis but did not complete the housing plan and implementation plan in time to place the item on next week’s study session. "They had the financial analysis prepared but not the housing plan and implementation plan," Speaker 1 said. "They unfortunately weren't able to meet our deadlines." The committee chair confirmed the study session could be moved to January if a slot opens, otherwise it would likely be delayed until May.

Committee members urged staff to circulate the supplemental financial materials by email rather than wait for the public study session. "We can provide it to council via email and the committee as well," Speaker 1 said, promising a phone call with the consultant and a follow‑up to the committee. Speaker 6 said staff should send the materials to committee members as soon as they are available.

The financial analysis requested by council will include two components, members said: projected implementation costs (including any additional staffing) and current costs the city incurs because of employee turnover. "I think there needs to be two sides of that cost analysis: what future cost is, but also what it's currently costing us not having affordable housing in this community," Speaker 3 said, citing turnover in police and fire and an example that "we spent a $100,000 to train a new policeman." Speaker 1 confirmed HR and turnover costs were among the items the consultant was asked to include.

Beyond public safety, members said turnover affects other city operations and the local private sector. Speaker 3 highlighted public works and recreation staff, and Speaker 7 described impacts on small businesses that must recruit from larger markets. Members suggested the committee could continue other work in the interim, such as drafting educational pamphlets and outreach plans, and that the consultant be relieved of lower‑priority tasks so it could focus on the housing plan.

Members discussed potential ways to accelerate council consideration: a special meeting, adding the material to a regular voting session as a presentation, or a joint committee‑council meeting. Speaker 1 said staff would explore scheduling options and speak with the consultant and council about timing.

The committee also identified future agenda items to pursue while the consultant completes the housing plan, including down‑payment assistance and potential local procurement or tax incentives for builders (a member suggested exploring whether materials purchased in Prescott could receive sales‑tax relief). Speaker 1 said staff would research legal and fiscal consequences of such incentives and invite the HR director to brief the committee on program logistics.

Staff announced that council is onboarding four new members and that Councilman Patrick Grady will serve as the committee’s new council liaison; Grady was not present but is expected to attend the committee’s January meeting. The meeting concluded with the committee approving the minutes from Oct. 1, 2025, and adjourning for the holiday season.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved the minutes from 10/01/2025 by voice vote; the motion carried.