City Council Recap

Below are the highlights of the May City Council meetings and some decisions that may interest you:

• On May 12, 2026, City Council discussed proposed parking rates for the Uptown parking system, including a proposed garage rate of $2.50 per hour, adjustments to current rates for paid on-street parking along SR 89A and Jordan Road, and vendor contracts for the Uptown Parking Management Program. Staff also presented recommendations for parking guidance technology, mobile payment systems, pay stations, occupancy monitoring, and parking enforcement/permitting tools intended to support operation of the Uptown Garage and overall parking management in Uptown. Preliminary revenue and expense projections were presented, and staff noted that parking rates should remain flexible and be reviewed periodically based on utilization, occupancy, and overall program goals. This was the first of two meetings on the proposed parking rates. Staff is scheduled to return to Council on July 14 for consideration of the proposed parking rate structure for City-managed Uptown parking areas, including hourly rates, seasonal pricing adjustments, and payment hours.
• On May 13, 2026, City Council conducted a work session on the Balanced Housing Strategy. Staff presented on how they view 775 new housing units as a realistic, achievable number of units to help address housing issues in Sedona over the next 10 years. The Balanced Housing Strategy addresses critical gaps in the community and the type and number of units needed to fill those gaps. The Balanced Housing Strategy makes it possible to have a more socially and economically resilient community with the ability to locally sustain critical institutions such as education, healthcare and daily services by providing housing that is attainable within city limits.
• On May 26, 2026, City Council adopted the Tentative City Budget for fiscal year 2027 at $97,963,222. Approval of the Tentative City Budget sets the expenditure limit for fiscal year 2027 with the final budget adoption set for June 23. Overall, this is a 5% decrease from last year’s budget.
• On May 26, 2026, City Council approved the distribution of a non-exclusive, non-binding letter of intent and request for information for any organization wishing to prepare a business plan for the re-establishment of the amphitheater operations at the Western Gateway property. The City launched the process on June 1, 2026 and applications are due by September 30, 2026.
• On May 27, 2026, City Council discussed a proposal to update the city's building codes which are a culmination of a year’s worth of work with Verde Valley communities and Yavapai County, along with Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and the Yavapai Contractor’s Association to maintain continuity in all respective building codes. This is the first of two public meetings with further Council review scheduled on July 14. Changes that come with the update range from addressing alternative building methods such as container homes, 3D printed homes, cob construction; loft sleeping areas and other responses to changing housing preferences; as well as life/safety elements such as standards for energy battery storage units and surge protection.

Did you Know…

• That the Sedona Community Pool is open for the summer?! The pool hours are from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, located at 570 Posse Ground Rd.

Rumor Mill

• We've heard concerns that the City has budgeted $25 million for paving, restrooms, a shade structure, and picnic tables at the West SR-89A Park & Ride site. In fact, the City's current plan includes approximately $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2028 to begin to implement those improvements. The approximately $25 million figure shown in the Capital Improvement Program in the FY26 Budget (last year) was a long-range planning placeholder for a potential future parking structure, should one be determined necessary in the years ahead. Any such project would require further analysis, public input, and City Council direction before moving forward. The estimate, which does not represent an approved project, was included for long-range planning purposes in the FY26 budget; however, after the evaluation of project planning and timing for the FY27 budget, a potential garage was determined to be outside of the ten-year long-range planning horizon in our budget and therefore is not shown in in the FY27 budget. 

  We've also received questions regarding future property acquisition estimates included in the Capital Improvement Program in the FY26 Budget (last year). The budget contains a category for potential future public works-related property acquisitions, which includes a planning estimate in the FY27 Budget of approximately $15.3 million over the long term for ALL future real estate and property acquisition over the ten-year planning horizon. This estimate is intended for financial planning purposes and is not tied to the purchase of any specific property. While facilities such as the 221 Brewer Road building could be considered as part of future discussions, any potential acquisition would require a separate evaluation, appraisal, public discussion, and City Council direction before moving forward. Of the $15.3 million, $10 million is a placeholder estimate for the potential purchase of the 221 Brewer Road property. This is a placeholder only; should the City Council want to consider purchasing the property in the future, an appraisal and purchase price would be established at that time.

  Our budget documents have been updated to be more clear and we welcome anyone with questions on the City’s budget to reach out to the Finance Department by emailing financedept@sedonaaz.gov.

News

• Effective May 21, the Sedona Fire District entered Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. These restrictions prohibit all solid-fueled open fires, fire pits, and campfires. During the fire restrictions, no burn permits will be issued and existing burn permits are hereby suspended. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays are prohibited unless permitted by the Fire Marshal. Learn more about what is prohibited and what is allowed.
• Help us welcome Jordan Corneliusen, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), of Fargo, N.D. as the new Director of Financial Services, replacing Barbara Whitehorn, who was promoted to Deputy City Manager in August 2025.
• ADOT began a guardrail replacement project along the SR-89A switchbacks in Oak Creek Canyon. The project is 13 miles north of Sedona, between Pine Flat Campground and Oak Creek Vista, and is anticipated for completion early August. Work will take place from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mondays through Thursdays and Fridays to noon. No construction will take place on Saturdays and Sundays. The project includes the replacement of 10,000 feet of guardrails, installation of concrete barriers, reconstruction of damaged curbs and gutters, and seeding and erosion control measures.

Events

• Join us for the next few Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for Family Fun Fridays! This all-ages, family-friendly series is designed to bring our community together for laughter, connection, and classic fun. Each week offers a different way to spend your Friday night with friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Whether you come with family or meet up with friends, everyone is welcome — let’s make Fridays the highlight of your summer!
• We hope to see you at our second Open House to present and gather input on Sedona’s Balanced Housing Strategy on Monday, June 29 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at The Hub at Posse Grounds, located at 525 Posse Ground Rd. This Open House is an opportunity for the community to learn about Sedona’s Balanced Housing Strategy and provide feedback to City staff.

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