Newly elected Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Nikki Check was sworn in to a four-year term in Prescott on Dec. 16. The new board’s first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8th.
Cech, the only Democrat on the board, will join fellow newcomers Brooks Compton (representing District 1) and Chris Cucunyo (representing District 4). Ward 2 Supervisor James Gregory and Ward 5 Supervisor Mary Mallory were both re-elected to their seats. Mr. Gregory will serve as Chairman of the Board in 2025.
Check defeated Donna Michaels 78% to 28% in the 2024 Democratic primary, when they were the only members of the party to run in Yavapai County. Check narrowly defeated Republican Lori Drake in the general election by a margin of 12,763 votes to 12,537 votes.
“Increasing public participation in county processes is a big theme, and there are many opportunities to do that,” Cech said. “Most notable is the renewal of the city planning ordinance starting in 2025. [Development Services has] We have planned a strong support schedule for this purpose. But we look forward to deepening the meaning of that update for our community. ”
“I would like the Audit Committee to propose that a committee be established for auditing. [zoning] Please update,” Check said. “I know they’re hiring companies and it’s probably going to take the next three years to do this update, but by setting up a committee of commissioners appointed from each region; I think the companies that take on this will make sure they have the right connections to engage with their communities. The first step is to consider the vision of their communities and make sure this update reflects all of those communities. to confirm.”
“Many sections and aspects of the code have not been updated since the 1960s, resulting in language, design standards, and regulations that are outdated, inconsistent, vague, and out of step with currently established practices. ” the county requires in its development proposal. Contains zoning updates.
Cech said he plans to post a schedule of 2025 town hall events in the coming weeks.
“Another top priority is to figure out how best to move forward on water issues in our community, how to start working together again, and hopefully using Yavapai County as a conduit to restart the conversation,” Cech said. Ta.
Check’s campaign platform calls for the continued permanence of the Verde River by reinstating the Yavapai County Water Advisory Commission and prioritizing protection of the upper Verde River, and Check wants zoning updates to address water conservation. He argued that it was an important tool.
Mr. Check spoke with members of the Pima County Land Conservation Board on January 9 to learn more about the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, which Pima County adopted in 2001, with the goal of using Pima County’s plan as an example. He said he was planning to meet. Conservation efforts in Yavapai County.
“When it comes to consolidating the checkerboard lands that still exist within Yavapai County and the Arizona State Trust lands within Yavapai County and planning for those larger areas, especially in the headwaters of the Verde River, this is extremely “I think it’s important to the river and the Big Chino Aquifer,” Cech said.
“My third priority is to get up to speed and work on the Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan,” Cech said. “It was planned by the Verde Valley Transportation Authority.” [Planning] Organizations are working in parallel [the Northern Arizona Council of Governments] In collaboration with other municipalities, including Sedona. ”
VVMTP says its goal is to address the Verde Valley’s transportation needs for the next 25 to 30 years.
“I don’t think a lot of people know what county supervisors do,” Cech said. “I see myself and this office as an extension of the people’s voice, so just don’t hesitate. If people have ideas or see problems that need to be solved, the government Please feel free to contact us so that we can continue to work for them.”
Contact the check office at district3@yavapaiaz.gov or (928) 649-6223.
