IN SECRET EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD JUNE 8 GOVERNING BOARD AUTHORIZES TWO NEW MAJOR PROPERTY PURCHASES IN PRESCOTT WITHOUT REVEALING ANTICIPATED PURCHASE PRICE TO COUNTY RESIDENTS – RECALL BOARD ALREADY AUTHORIZED PURCHASE OF LAND IN PRESCOTT VALLEY FOR EXPANSION

Blog believes one parcel of land  located “west” of the Prescott airport is for CTEC expansion;  Board says  second parcel of land is for “student” housing project; recall Board had previously approved construction of faculty housing village of 10 units  in Prescott Valley

On June 8, 2023, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board met in secret executive session to approve more land purchases on the west side of Mingus mountain.  The  additional land will continue the expansion of the footprint of the College on that side of the County.  An excerpt from the formal June 8 agenda, which appears below, shows both pieces of land as located in Prescott.

At the conclusion of the confidential executive session, two motions were presented. The first motion involved the acquisition of property located in Prescott to the “west of the airport.” Following a second to the motion, no further discussion took place that could have enlightened residents about the expenditure. The Board unanimously voted in favor of approving the motion. (See video clip by clicking here.) 

It is suspected that the aforementioned motion pertains to the expansion of the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) at the Prescott airport. It is worth recalling that executives from the Community College discreetly included a last-minute request for ten million dollars in the 2023-24 budget for a vaguely worded project at CTEC. Despite the substantial nature of this request, it proceeded through the budget process in May with minimal public discussion or explanation. Remarkably, the Board members failed to pose any meaningful public questions regarding it.

The second motion on June 8, presented after the secret meeting closed and the Board returned to the public, was focused on pursuing the purchase of property designated for “student housing,” according to a comment by Board Chair Deb McCasland made just before adjourning..  Once again, after a second to the motion, no discussion occurred among the Governing Board, and the vote on the motion was unanimous. (See video clip by clicking here.)   

Unfortunately, during the public portion of the June 8 meeting, no questions were raised, depriving the public of the opportunity to gain insight and clarification about the purchases from their elected representatives. Consequently, community members are left to engage in speculation concerning the amount of taxpayer funds being allocated to these projects and whether there exists any substantiating data to support such expenditures. The lack of transparency in this regard leaves the public in a state of uncertainty and unable to make informed judgments regarding the use of their tax dollars.

A  notable observation is that these land acquisitions were not clearly deliberated upon during the public budget hearing held in May. This omission raises concerns about the transparency and inclusiveness of the budgetary process. The absence of any discussion or mention of these specific purchases during the public forum further fuels the public’s curiosity and skepticism regarding the decision-making behind these expenditures. It highlights the need for greater accountability and disclosure to ensure that the public’s voice is heard and that their concerns are adequately addressed in matters of budget allocation.