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Council approves outside‑agency grants, recusal noted; adopts code change on timing of taking office
Summary
Council approved staff‑recommended outside‑agency funding allocations totaling about $180,000 to local nonprofits (including $40,000 to Old Town Mission and $3,500 to Verde Valley Homeless Coalition), handled a recusal for one member, and adopted Ordinance 749 reaffirming city practice that newly elected officials take office after the general election.
The council approved recommended outside‑agency funding allocations for FY25, following a staff scoring review and the council’s direction to increase the program budget by $30,000. Accounting Manager Jeff Cook presented the committee’s recommendations and the council approved awards to nine organizations in amounts recommended by staff, subject to final funding agreements prepared by the city attorney.
Awards approved (staff recommendations): Verde Valley Homeless Coalition — $3,500; Verde Valley Trail Fund — $12,500; Low Income Student Aid — $25,000; Verde Valley Wheel Fund — $10,000; Old Town Mission — $40,000; Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition — $20,000; Verde Valley Humane Society — $37,394; Northland Cares — $5,000; Steps to Recovery Homes — $26,606. One council member disclosed a board affiliation with the Homeless Coalition and another announced they are employed by that agency; the employed member recused from the vote and staff took a brief recess to address the procedural issue.
Separately, the city attorney explained new state legislation about when elected persons take office after primaries or general elections; staff proposed reaffirming Cottonwood’s existing practice that newly elected officeholders begin their terms after the general election. Council adopted Ordinance 749 to amend section 2.0803 of the city code to reflect that practice.
Council asked for accountability measures and noted that most awarded organizations will present year‑end reports to the council showing deliverables and financial performance.
