Charter review committee advances citizen-petition and high-value lease proposals amid council questions

The Prescott City Charter Review Committee presented proposed charter amendments at the May 12 study session that would change how citizen petitions are handled and add higher public-engagement requirements for long-term leases of high-value city property, with the committee seeking council approval to place the measures on the November 3, 2026 special-election ballot.

Bonnie McMman, chair of the committee, told councilors the first proposed change (Article 2, Section 18) would clarify consideration of citizen petitions by retaining a 60-day public comment period, requiring one public meeting where council can hear the petitioner and public comment, and clarifying what "act upon" means in practice to strengthen transparency. The committee voted unanimously on that item.

The second proposed change would add steps before finalizing long-term leases of high-value city property: a study session, a 60-day public comment period, a public hearing and presentation of public comments to council before the final vote. The proposal sets a preliminary threshold of $4 million in property value and lease terms of four years or longer to define "high value," and the committee suggested considering a supermajority vote for final approval.

Council debate and concerns

Several councilors supported transparency but raised concerns about unintended consequences. Mayor Rousing and others said the current consent-agenda procedure already allows petitions to be pulled for discussion and expressed worry that automatically routing every petition to a public meeting could be onerous and invite frivolous filings. Council members discussed possible safeguards: a signature threshold for petitions (for example, signatures equivalent to an item that would qualify for the ballot) or requiring support from one or two council members to place a petition on an agenda.

Councilors also pressed the committee on the lease amendment's scope and threshold. Questions included how "value" would be defined (appraised/assessed value or lease-value over term), whether routine nonprofit leases (Meals on Wheels, community center) or airport leases could be inadvertently swept in, and whether a supermajority requirement would unduly hamper the city's ability to do business. The committee said it would refine definitions and review council feedback at its next meeting.

Next steps

The committee will reconvene to refine language (including possible signature thresholds and clearer definitions of value) and plans to forward the recommended amendments and final ballot language to council for possible inclusion on the June 9 voting meeting agenda. Committee members said the goal is to strengthen public engagement and transparency without unduly burdening staff or blocking ordinary municipal leasing activity.

Public comment during the study session reflected both support for more public engagement and concern about added process burdens; stakeholders said they would participate in refining thresholds and language.