Cut Spending & Restore Fiscal Discipline
Sedona needs to get serious about how it spends money. Before we talk about raising revenue or adding new projects, we need to take a hard look at where our dollars are going and whether residents are truly getting value.
Review Capital Spending Projects
We need a full, honest review of the city’s capital projects — both the ones already underway and the ones being proposed. Residents deserve to know:
Why each project was started
How much it costs along with yearly operating costs
What the bidding process looked like
Whether the project actually serves the community
This isn’t about pointing fingers — it’s about understanding how decisions were made and making sure future ones are smarter.
Evaluate New Projects With a Small‑Business Mindset
Before approving anything new, we should ask: Is this the right project, at the right time, for a city of our size? Sedona should think like a small business — careful, efficient, and focused on essentials.
Right‑Size City Staffing
Sedona has nearly 200 city employees serving 9,500 residents. That ratio deserves a closer look. We need to understand:
What each department does
Whether staffing levels match actual needs
Where efficiencies can be found without hurting services
Rein in Consulting Costs
Consultants can be useful, but Sedona relies on them far too often. We need transparency on:
How much we’re spending
What we’re getting in return
Whether the work could be done in‑house
Improve How Information Reaches the Council
Right now, the city manager controls the flow of information to the council — and that can shape outcomes. We need a system where:
Council receives complete, unfiltered information
Data isn’t withheld or selectively presented
Decisions are made openly and honestly
Clarify the Long‑Term Vision
Every major project should answer one basic question: Is it a need or a want? Residents deserve to know the long‑term plan before millions are committed.
