Miranda Fisher, 36, is now at the reins of Camp Verde as town manager as of May 28.
“What I appreciate is the warmth [from residents] of having a permanent leader here in Camp Verde,” Fisher said. “I realized that I was walking into a lot of turmoil. So I was maybe anticipating people to question me being here and just kind of being, ‘Oh for how long are you here?’ Because they’ve gone through so much change. But I have not felt that. Everyone’s been welcoming. They know I want to be here, they’ve really accepted me from day one … I walked onto our campus here and really value what the team is doing here and I’m excited to support them.”
Her predecessor, Tedmond “Ted” Soltis, resigned abruptly last November after 103 days on the job.
Gayle Mabery has been serving as the acting town manager in the interim and is staying on as an advisor to lead discussions with the Yavapai-Apache Nation over water rights and other projects.
Soltis succeeded Russ Martin, who had served the town for 12 years. In October 2022, the council voted 6-1 not to renew Martin’s contract, which was set to expire in March 2023.
Fisher’s last post was town administrator — a post equivalent to town manager — for Nederland, Colo., where she was also previously town clerk. She holds a doctorate in public administration from California Baptist University.
“I’m very passionate about city management, talent management,” Fisher said. “I finished my doctorate … and so love it from a vocational and educational perspective and I’m really happy and excited to be here in Camp Verde.”
Fisher also holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and technical communication from Colorado State University, and attended Northern Arizona University before relocating to Colorado to be near her family, as well as a master’s degree in public administration from Pennsylvania State College.
“While Nederland and Camp Verde are, of course, different populations, geographically [they are] navigating the same challenges,” Fisher said. Nederland has around 1,500 residents. “I knew coming here that we have a lack of housing, a lack of affordable housing. I witnessed that when looking to rent, there really were no rentals available and pricing for housing, it’s kind of all over the spectrum. But even just the availability of housing to buy was very limited.”
Fisher added that she was very happy to have closed on a new home “the day before I got here” that is close enough to the town complex for her to be able to walk to work. An additional parallel between Nederland and Camp Verde that Fisher sees is the challenge of securing water for development.
“I want to continue forward on kind of the momentum that has been started by the council … that is obviously partnerships with the Yavapai-Apache Nation,” Fisher said. “We’re also looking at opportunities for developers to pay their way.”
Fisher cited the High View at Boulder Creek development off State Route 260, which will construct a well that it will later turn over to the town, as an example of stabilizing water demand and adding redundancy to the town’s current water system.
She was unable to identify any opportunities to bolster arts programing in Camp Verde following the recent shutdown of the Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts Foundation. Fisher said that she was receptive to the idea but that any initiatives would be constrained by budget concerns.
“I want to come in and hear what people have to say before I can start to develop actionable plans,” Fisher said. “My first 90 days is committed to just sitting down and listening and hearing what people are looking for in terms of how the town could support and then building that plan.”
Fisher added that she would be carrying out steps proposed in the town’s strategic plan such as creating a citizens’ academy, launching a newsletter and increasing city messaging.
“I’ve heard that a lot since I’ve been here, of feeling like the town operates in the dark a little bit,” Fisher said. “I want to bring light to everything these departments are doing … And so hopefully, through a newsletter and social media presence, be able to provide that education and awareness about what the town is doing.”
Infrastructure projects that Fisher said are on the horizon include the completion of sports complex and the $17 million Northbound Sewer Collection System Expansion which will “expand [the] sewer system northwest along the 260 corridor to convert existing septic systems from older residential areas and provide more sewer connection options for development within town limits,” as the June 5 town council agenda stated.
“We just have to secure the funding and then of course easements,” Fisher said. “But it comes down to money. Because I do think it’s hard to attract developers if we say, ‘Hey, come out and build out 260. But we don’t have any utilities for you to connect into.’”
Camp Verde’s recently-adopted Code of the West reminds potential residents that “utilities available in larger communities may not be available in our rural community.”
Additional personnel changes for Camp Verde include Molly Davies [née Spangler] being promoted to deputy town manager in addition to her current position as Economic Development director.
“Molly will initially continue her current responsibilities as the town’s Economic Development director,” the town staff stated in an announcement on June 10. “During this phased transition, Molly will also take on the supervision of the Library Department and the Parks and Recreation Division. Moreover, Molly will play a crucial role in implementing the Town’s strategic plan. Her initial projects will include the establishment of an annual citizens’ academy, conducting a comprehensive community survey and developing an effective communication and public engagement strategy.”
Camp Verde is also in the process of creating a new job posting for an economic development manager that will be posted within the next few weeks. The salary range for the new position is anticipated to go before city council on Wednesday, July 17.
“My door is open,” Fisher said. “People can call, they can stop by, they can email me, I’ve had all three even just today. Whatever means people like to communicate, I’d love to hear from them.”
Fisher can be reached at Miranda.Fisher@campverde.az.gov or (928) 554-0001.
