Sedona City Council Condemns Mayor Scott Jablow, Calls for Resignation
The Sedona City Council took formal action against Mayor Scott Jablow on September 10, publicly condemning him and urging his resignation. The resolution passed with a vote of 5-2, with only councillors Derek Pfaf and Jabrow opposing it.
Despite the council’s decision, Jablow stated that he has no intention of stepping down, emphasizing that it would ultimately be up to the voters to decide his fate, whether through a recall or in the 2026 election.
The council outlined multiple grievances against Jablow, which included issues like meddling with city staff, fostering a negative work atmosphere, maintaining secrecy regarding judicial privileges, bypassing the council’s procedures, overstepping his authority, and not adhering to ethical standards expected of elected officials.
“I owe an apology to our community. The council’s actions have drawn my attention, and I apologize to the community, our staff, to Mayor Anette Spickard, and to my fellow councillors,” Jablow said. He insisted, however, that he wouldn’t resign. “I will let the voters decide. If there’s a recall, I will address it then. I’ve been part of this city for nearly 11 years and have accomplished many good things. So no, I’m not leaving,” he added.
On September 3, an agenda for an Executive Session was publicly posted to discuss potential disciplinary actions against city officials. Under Sedona’s laws, the only civil servants liable for discipline are the mayor and council members, which limits the possible actions to those outlined in the city’s procedural rules.
The council convened at noon on September 10, and after some deliberations, they voted around 1:50 PM to condemn Jablow. Feedback from various council members revealed a mix of emotions; some expressed regret yet felt compelled to act for the community’s trust.
“This decision weighed heavily on me,” said Kinsella, who moved to initiate the formal action. “However, I believe the council needs to restore faith in our leadership. We cannot support Jablow anymore.” Councillor Brian Fultz expressed a similar sentiment, urging Jablow to resign for the betterment of the community. “The evidence we reviewed is compelling,” he noted.
There were stated concerns regarding Jablow’s conduct—specifically referencing violations of city codes and procedures. Rule 2B emphasizes respect among councillors, while Rule 2C focuses on the expected decorum and ethical conduct of city leaders.
The situation escalated following a controversial public meeting regarding the installation of automatic license plate readers by Flock Safety, an initiative Jablow championed for over 15 months. A memo from Spickard criticized Jablow for failing to follow the majority consensus in directing the installation of these cameras.
Five council members had previously instructed Jablow to cease the ALPR operations indefinitely while outlining a timetable for future implementations. Tensions escalated, leading to an unanimous vote to terminate the contract for the cameras and their removal from the city.
Complaints between Mayor Jablow and Police Chief Foley
Conflicts of interest exacerbated the situation, with Police Chief Stephanie Foley filing a 157-page complaint against Jablow alleging ongoing interference and a toxic work environment at the police station since her promotion in August 2022. Jablow, in turn, filed his own three-page complaint against Foley, stating that she was fostering a hostile atmosphere through punitive measures.
This ongoing dispute highlights the tension within the city’s leadership, showcasing a fractured relationship that has implications for the city’s operational effectiveness and public perception.
