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Camp Verde Council adopts Verde Lakes strategic plan amid water-rights concerns
Summary
The council approved the Verde Lakes Community Park Strategic Development Plan, directing staff to pursue ownership or long-term lease options, park amenities and pond restoration while residents urged care around unresolved water-rights adjudication and resisted a proposed 25-year lease.
Mayor Dee Jenkins and the Camp Verde Town Council on Nov. 20 approved the Verde Lakes Community Park Strategic Development Plan, a multi-part proposal that the town says will help secure grant funding, add park amenities and stabilize the park's ponds.
Town Manager Miranda Fisher and Acting Parks & Recreation Manager Shawna Figy described three strategic goals: pursue ownership or a long-term lease to aid grant applications; develop and install park amenities; and restore ponds and improve water-supply storage. Manager Fisher said staff will return to the Council for additional guidance as implementation details are developed.
Several members of the Verde Lakes Recreation Corporation and nearby residents spoke during the item. Glenda Duncan of the Verde Lakes Recreation Corporation said the plan is a milestone but warned that "the adjudication process for the water rights has been significantly delayed at the state level," and urged that any long-term lease or transfer account for unresolved water issues so the town does not lose flexibility. Donna Moody thanked staff but opposed a 25-year lease, saying she would prefer the property be donated to the town. Deborah Moody corrected an earlier reference to a volunteer, noting his full name is Elmer V. Moody.
Councilors pressed staff for clarity on the ponds. Councilor Cris McPhail asked whether the ponds would be removed or their character changed; Manager Fisher said the plan's Goal #3 includes stabilizing and, where appropriate, deepening ponds to improve storage capacity. Councilor Wendy Escoffier reiterated the Council's historical support for preserving Verde Lakes and voiced her full support for proceeding under the strategic plan.
On a motion by Councilor McPhail, seconded by Councilor Escoffier, the Council approved Resolution 2024-1156 to adopt the Verde Lakes Community Park Strategic Development Plan; the roll-call vote was 5-0.
The decision authorizes staff to begin work under the plan but does not finalize ownership or lease terms; Manager Fisher said specific lease language and water-rights contingencies will return to Council in later agenda items for formal approval.
