The Citizens' Budget Work Group presented its report to the council with prioritized recommendations for FY26. The panel — nine residents with diverse tenure in Sedona — urged council attention to public-safety prevention, staffing for code enforcement, employee housing options and clarified performance metrics.

Highlights and context: Jolene Pearson, Christian Eaton and Ed Kettler presented for the group. They recommended the city emphasize fire prevention and regional coordination through the new emergency-manager role; establish a trails manager to coordinate with U.S. Forest Service and other agencies; and address recurring workforce retention by exploring employee housing and permitting changes such as simplifying ADU permits.

Short-term rentals and enforcement: The group urged additional staffing for the short-term rental (STR) code-enforcement function — suggesting more than the single current staffer — plus better technology to link police complaint data (noise, garbage, occupancy) to enforcement workflow. The group recommended focusing enforcement on public nuisances that most affect neighbors rather than practices (neighbor notification, sex-offender registry) they considered less useful.

Targeted investments: The committee endorsed a modest investment in security cameras in Posse Grounds Park (about $13,000) and recommended reviewing facilities plans and utility-inspector backlogs before funding large consultant engagements. The committee expressly recommended pausing or reconsidering the proposed "bus barn" maintenance facility until a robust regional business plan justifies the expense.

Why it matters: The work group’s recommendations are advisory but reflect citizen priorities for service delivery, emergency preparedness, staffing, housing and how the city spends capital funds. Several councilors thanked the volunteers and requested clearer briefings and more ongoing participation in future budget work.

Next steps: Councilors asked staff to publish the city's prioritized strategies and to return with clarifying materials as councilors deliberate budget choices the following day.