Sedona councilors pressed city managers and department heads about staffing growth since the Great Recession, the value of restored positions, and the results of a recent salary study that staff folded into the FY26 budget.

Councilor Brian Fultz and others asked for a clearer accounting of which roughly 50 full-time-equivalent positions eliminated during fiscal 2009–2012 had been restored and what work those positions did. Public-works staff said the biggest impact during the earlier cuts was to capital project management; essential services such as pavement maintenance continued but project management capacity fell. The city manager and department heads said many positions were later reintroduced because of new or expanded services — for example, adding sustainability and tourism roles, administering a municipal transit program, and creating housing initiatives.

The council repeatedly requested a more transparent history of budget decisions that added positions back over time. Spicher told council she could compile a “waterfall” or history of decision-package choices to show which years and decisions restored staff.

Salary study and FY26 effects: staff said the FY26 base includes adjustments from a citywide salary and market study. Whitehorn said the study adjusted pay ranges and that not every incumbent will receive the full range adjustment; the budget reflects personnel costs where an individual equity adjustment was required. Staff scheduled a presentation from Human Resources to explain the salary-study methodology and scope so councilors can see how personnel changes affected department personnel lines and overall costs.

Why it matters: Staffing and compensation choices affect service levels, recruitment and retention. Councilors emphasized that the public needs clearer context when head-count numbers are cited in news or public comment.