Special Council Study Session - October 20, 2026

The City of Prescott’s October 20, 2026, Special Council Study Session focused on a legislative update from Arizona State Senator Mark Finchum and the city’s state funding priorities. The city reported efforts to renew legislation allowing midyear budget adjustments for grant-funded projects and continued work on tax-increment financing, license-plate-reader technology, and construction-manager-at-risk authority for airport projects. Airport priorities included the Northeast Airport apron/ramp project: the city had received a prior $3.5 million state appropriation and requested $3 million for a further phase. Other listed priorities included a $4 million SR 89 multi-use path, an SR 89/89A ramp, and a trail low-water crossing. The airport director described the project’s potential support for wildfire response, freight, aviation training, and economic development. The senator also discussed pursuing dedicated state funding for rural road repairs and expansion.

Council members raised water supply and treatment concerns, including an estimated $70 million in Prescott PFAS-related costs over the next two to three years, with only an estimated $3–6 million expected from litigation recoveries; they asked about loans and other funding options. The senator discussed several potential water projects and possible state or federal assistance. These were study-session discussions and funding requests, not contract awards or purchasing approvals; no spending-related motion or vote was identified in the transcript.