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Prescott council dissolves Workforce Housing Committee amid warnings housing issues remain
Summary
The council adopted a resolution to dissolve the Workforce Housing Committee by a 5‑2 vote; councilmembers and public speakers urged continued focus on affordable and workforce housing and questioned next steps for administration of long‑term contracts.
The Prescott City Council voted 5‑2 on April 28 to adopt a resolution dissolving the Workforce Housing Committee, a volunteer group that had worked on housing issues for roughly four years.
Councilmember Jay (speaker 19) urged recognition for committee members and warned that the underlying issues of workforce and affordable housing have not been resolved, telling the council he felt the decision sent the volunteers ‘‘to the tournament and not to compete.’’
Public commenter Donna Whitmore (speaker 15) used the call to the public to critique the city’s workforce housing approach and an agreement with Woda Cooper, saying only a small portion of units would be reserved for workers. Whitmore stated, “If you look deeper, though, only 18 units will be set aside for workforce housing, with 39 units…for folks in the 7%, 8%, and 30% AMI. These are not working folks.” Her comments urged the council to consider alternatives such as down‑payment assistance, employer partnerships, and programs that target working households.
Proponents of dissolution and those who seconded the motion acknowledged the committee’s contributions but said administrative or statutory considerations motivated the change. The resolution passed 5‑2. Council did not adopt new direction at the meeting to replace the committee; councilmembers said the housing issue will remain on the agenda.
The council’s action ends the formal volunteer committee as constituted; it did not, in this meeting, alter existing contracts or program funding. Council members and public speakers requested clarity about who will administer long‑term contracts, manage wait lists, and oversee property management now that the committee is dissolved.
