OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Payson Town Council Regular Meeting Summary – January 14, 2026

Town Council & Planning and Zoning — Wednesday, January 14, 2026
BodyPayson, Arizona
SessionTown Council & Planning and Zoning
DateWednesday, January 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:45:36

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Proclamations are one proclamation.

0:04

I call this regular meeting of the common council, the town of Payson to order January 14th, 2026.

0:13

Before we move forward with tonight's agenda, I would like to ask council and members of the public to join me in a moment of silence to honor the passing of Chris Higgins, who served our community as both mayor and council member, and whose dedication to public service had a lasting impact on the town of Payson.

0:47

Now I ask for an invocation.

0:54

Ardo Carrio.

1:04

So thank you.

1:07

Okay.

1:13

We come before you come before you at this time as a town council and community to look at upcoming issues and topics in our community.

1:20

Father, we ask for that guidance as we do this, that we can be guiding that direction in the direction of the community of what this time we also place a special blessing on anybody in our community that is struggling at this time, whether it be financially, emotionally, or the loss of loved ones.

1:34

So they can have my blessing.

1:35

Father, please bless our first responders as they are serving and protecting those of us in the community and throughout the world that they can be watched over as well.

1:45

We're grateful for all we have in the wonderful place that we are able to live.

1:48

We say these things in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.

1:50

Amen.

2:23

Okay.

2:27

At this time, we're going to do call to the public.

2:30

Uh allow citizens an opportunity to speak on issues within the town's legal authority and the jurisdiction of the town of Payson.

2:39

The town must abide by the open meeting law, and therefore we cannot respond to comments.

2:47

When called to speak, please approach the podium, speak towards the microphone so your statements can be heard and give your name.

2:54

The town requests that you address your comments to the council as a whole.

3:00

If you're speaking on an agenda item today, you can wait until that specific agenda item is presented to speak, or you may state your concerns now during call to the public.

3:13

Each speaker is limited to three minutes.

3:15

You may not donate your time to another speaker.

3:19

And like I said, the council will not be entering into dialogue.

3:24

Purpose of this meeting is to conduct town business.

3:28

Speakers in the audience shall refrain from conduct that disrupts or interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting, including clapping, cheering, booing, as this disrupts the meeting and inhibits free speech rights.

3:41

Any person who engages in disruptive conduct may be removed or barred from the meeting if the person refuses to stop the disruptive conduct.

4:05

Speaker request forms.

4:57

The department has been asking for one since 2002.

5:02

It's past time to get them what they need to protect not just the citizens of Payson, but the lives and well-being of our dedicated fire department personnel.

5:15

Excuse me.

5:16

It isn't a want and it isn't a luxury.

5:19

It is a necessity and a need for pace and fire department firefighters to do their job of protecting property and lives of the people who live here, as well as protecting their lives.

5:37

From the chief of Pace and Fire Department to purchase the ladder truck.

5:42

Thank you.

5:43

Thank you.

5:43

Thank you.

5:46

Tom Dunning.

6:03

I'm a 21 year resident of Payson.

6:08

Mr.

6:09

Mayor, Council members, town staff.

6:18

You rammed it through.

6:22

Not even during a regular meeting, but during a working session.

6:27

You rammed it through.

6:34

Asking for RFPs or creating RFPs and asking for bids is not going to do good service to the people of Pays and to the people who live here.

6:49

Why?

6:51

Well, first, let's look at the most obvious thing.

6:58

Here from shareholders.

7:02

How about a vote?

7:05

The other site in Malibu required a vote.

7:10

There's not going to be a vote on this.

7:14

And who's going to be on the uh shareholder committee?

7:19

How many members of the public are going to be?

7:22

And who's going to choose them?

7:24

When are they going to meet?

7:26

Are they going to have a report?

7:29

Are they going to uh engage and have public meetings?

7:36

Shareholders are going to be left out.

7:40

That is the 16,000 and more people of PACIN.

7:47

And then the uh RFPs themselves.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fire Prevention█████████████████████21%
Pension Management████████████████████20%
Parks and Recreation█████████████13%
Public Safety████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Zoning And Land Use██████████10%
Public Engagement█████5%
Election Procedures███3%
Budget Equity Analysis██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Payson Town Council Regular Meeting Summary – January 14, 2026

The Payson Town Council met on January 14, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a range of topics including a resolution to join the Arizona Employers’ Pension Prefunding Plan, first public hearings on two ordinances, a report on the 2026 municipal election, approval of the purchase of a refurbished ladder truck, and the annual General Plan progress report. All votes were unanimous (7–0).

Consent Calendar

  • C.1: Approved the December 10, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Barbara Joe Rasmussen supported the purchase of a ladder truck to protect the Town.
  • Tom Dunning, a Payson resident, opposed issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the pool, desiring more stakeholder input and questioning the process efficiency.
  • Karrah Vandruff, a Round Valley resident, advocated for a heated pool that could later be covered, emphasizing water safety and family needs.
  • Lori Thompson supported building a pool, advocated for stakeholder input, and noted a 2021 survey with over 1,100 responses showing over 90% public support for a pool.
  • Dale Hayes supported the purchase of a fire ladder truck and offered his pool renovation expertise.
  • Michael Voden Jr. addressed swim safety, called for financial transparency, opposed Town funding of Halloween in the park, proposed changes to staff vehicle use, and urged increased grant-writing efforts.
  • Cyn Stratton supported issuing an RFP for the pool, stating that cost estimates would be beneficial.
  • Lori Martinez spoke in favor of the ladder truck purchase.
  • Darlene Younker Delage supported the truck purchase and asked about warranty and housing location.
  • Mike Quinn submitted a speaker request but declined to speak.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution No. 2026-001 – Arizona Employers’ Pension Prefunding Plan: Town Manager Darren Coldwell and PARS representative Charlie Francis presented the program as a flexible, liquid stabilization tool for PSPRS contributions, emphasizing low risk and no commissions. The resolution authorizes participation and execution of related documents. The council discussed investment flexibility, fees (total 32 basis points), and the ability to withdraw funds without penalty. The motion carried 7–0.

  • First Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2026-100 (Self-Certification and Expedited Plan Review): Zoning Administrator Nicole Adams explained the update aligns Town Code with House Bill 2447, allowing administrative approvals based on objective standards, expedited review, and self-certification by qualified professionals. No public comments were offered. The hearing was opened and closed; no action taken pending a second hearing.

  • First Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2026-101 (Peddler’s License Fingerprinting): Town Clerk Tracie Bailey and Commander Jesse Davies presented amendments to comply with DPS fingerprint submission requirements for non-criminal justice purposes. The language is mandated by DPS for background checks on peddlers. No public comments were offered. The hearing was opened and closed; no action taken pending a second hearing.

  • Town Clerk Update (I.1): Tracie Bailey provided details on the August 4, 2026 municipal election (mayor for 2-year term, three council members for 4-year terms, and a Home Rule question). Candidate filing starts March 9 (or March 2 if the primary date moves to July 28). Registration deadline July 6 (or June 29). Home Rule argument deadline May 6 (or April 29).

  • Purchase of 2008 Pierce 75’ Ladder Truck (I.2): Assistant Fire Chief Kevin McCully, Captain Chad Richie, and Captain Jamin Smith presented the need for a ladder truck, noting that the department has been without one since 2015 and currently relies on a borrowed 1990 truck. The refurbished truck (less than 2,000 miles, 500-gallon water tank, 2,000 gpm pump) costs $575,000 and comes with a one-year warranty. It will serve as an interim solution until a new 105-foot truck (ordered in 2025) arrives around 2029. The truck can improve the Town’s ISO rating from 3 to 2. The council discussed residual value, personnel cost (none), and the option to defer the new truck order. The motion carried 7–0.

  • General Plan Annual Report (I.3): Public Works Director Doni Wilbanks presented the annual progress report, highlighting completed transportation projects (Manzanita, McLean Road, Airport Road, Wilson Court), sidewalk ADA improvements, historic Main Cultural District launch, entryway signs, environmental programs (spring cleanup, hazardous waste events), wildfire adaptive community efforts, and water resource coordination.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution No. 2026-001 approved 7–0 to participate in the Arizona Employers’ Pension Prefunding Plan (PARS).
  • Ordinance No. 2026-100 (Self-Certification) and Ordinance No. 2026-101 (Peddler Fingerprinting) each received a first public hearing; no action taken.
  • Purchase of the 2008 Pierce 75' ladder truck approved 7–0 at a cost of $575,000.
  • General Plan Annual Report received and filed.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Proclamations are one proclamation. I call this regular meeting of the common council, the town of Payson to order January 14th, 2026. Before we move forward with tonight's agenda, I would like to ask council and members of the public to join me in a moment of silence to honor the passing of Chris Higgins, who served our community as both mayor and council member, and whose dedication to public service had a lasting impact on the town of Payson. Now I ask for an invocation. Ardo Carrio. So thank you. Okay. We come before you come before you at this time as a town council and community to look at upcoming issues and topics in our community. Father, we ask for that guidance as we do this, that we can be guiding that direction in the direction of the community of what this time we also place a special blessing on anybody in our community that is struggling at this time, whether it be financially, emotionally, or the loss of loved ones. So they can have my blessing. Father, please bless our first responders as they are serving and protecting those of us in the community and throughout the world that they can be watched over as well. We're grateful for all we have in the wonderful place that we are able to live. We say these things in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Okay. At this time, we're going to do call to the public. Uh allow citizens an opportunity to speak on issues within the town's legal authority and the jurisdiction of the town of Payson. The town must abide by the open meeting law, and therefore we cannot respond to comments. When called to speak, please approach the podium, speak towards the microphone so your statements can be heard and give your name. The town requests that you address your comments to the council as a whole. If you're speaking on an agenda item today, you can wait until that specific agenda item is presented to speak, or you may state your concerns now during call to the public. Each speaker is limited to three minutes. You may not donate your time to another speaker. And like I said, the council will not be entering into dialogue. Purpose of this meeting is to conduct town business. Speakers in the audience shall refrain from conduct that disrupts or interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting, including clapping, cheering, booing, as this disrupts the meeting and inhibits free speech rights. Any person who engages in disruptive conduct may be removed or barred from the meeting if the person refuses to stop the disruptive conduct. Speaker request forms. The department has been asking for one since 2002. It's past time to get them what they need to protect not just the citizens of Payson, but the lives and well-being of our dedicated fire department personnel. Excuse me. It isn't a want and it isn't a luxury. It is a necessity and a need for pace and fire department firefighters to do their job of protecting property and lives of the people who live here, as well as protecting their lives. From the chief of Pace and Fire Department to purchase the ladder truck. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Tom Dunning. I'm a 21 year resident of Payson. Mr. Mayor, Council members, town staff. You rammed it through. Not even during a regular meeting, but during a working session. You rammed it through. Asking for RFPs or creating RFPs and asking for bids is not going to do good service to the people of Pays and to the people who live here. Why? Well, first, let's look at the most obvious thing. Here from shareholders. How about a vote? The other site in Malibu required a vote.

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