The following are profiles by fives candidates running for three seats on the Cottonwood City Council: Councilman Stephen DeWillis, Councilman Christopher Dowell, Scott Ellis, Councilwoman Debbie Wilden and write-in candidate Heather Piper White.

Election day is Tuesday, July 21. Early ballots will be mailed out the week of Wednesday, June 24.

Stephen DeWillis

Stephen DeWillis was a write-in candidate in 2022. After four years on council, he now seeks a second term.

• Length of time in Cottonwood: Resident of Cottonwood since 1991, after returning home from a short U.S. Air Force career from 1982 to 1991.
• Professional/personal background: Cottonwood City Councilman Stephen DeWillis was a business owner in Cottonwood from 2014 to 2024.

What makes you qualified to be on Cottonwood City Council?
What makes me qualified to be on the city council is that I am a resident of the city and I have a desire for after being here for so long it was time for me to stand up and try to repay the citizens for some injustices that have happened in the past and try to insure they do not happen again.

The city of Cottonwood declared a housing emergency in February 2025. Is this a fair assessment and what steps would you take if elected to address housing?
In my opinion, yes, there is an affordable housing crisis in the city, the state and the entire country for that matter. It boils down to greed. From developers who want their return on their investment immediately to home prices that are just too high, as well as rent for a home.

Not everyone can afford to pay these prices and that is why some families and their children are still in the same home as they grew up in with their parents. The average median pay in the Verde Valley is just not enough in some cases to sustain all the family needs.

If reelected, I will try to insure that developers understand that there is a huge need for affordable housing and get them to hold their rent prices for apartments or even homes to a payable rate and accept the fact that they will get their money back on their investment, they just need to be willing to wait perhaps and extra year. But as a councilman, I am but one voice.

What is your vision for economic development in Cottonwood?
Economic development and housing almost go hand in hand, if you have nowhere for the people to live, how can you have new growth in the city? We need to be able to entice bigger business to come here and invest in our town and we also need for there to be more small businesses in town and both of these need to be supported by the city and its residents.

How would you prioritize Riverfront Park’s development and ensure that community input shapes the park’s future?
Riverfront Park development does need to happen so that families and travelers have a nice place to go and spend the day together. But while considering any and all upgrades to the existing park, water needs to be a huge consideration for that upgrade expansion and prior to any of it being done the possibility of it all being wiped out by a large flood.

Christopher Dowell

Cottonwood City Councilman Christopher Dowell was elected by voters in 2024 to replace recalled Councilwoman Lisa DuVernay, and is finishing the last two years of that four-year term. The former interim police chief of Cottonwood, Dowell is now seeking a full four-year term.

• Length of time in Cottonwood: More than nine years, though he and his wife’s family’s roots in the Verde Valley date back to the 1950s and 1960s.
• Professional/personal background: Elected in a 2024 recall to finish two years of a four-year term, Cottonwood City Councilman Christopher Dowell is a 36-year law enforcement veteran with service in the U.S. Army military police, commander and later interim chief of police for the city of Cottonwood, interim deputy chief and later commander for the Sedona Police Department and command-level assignments with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Dowell earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Dowell is a board member of the Verde Valley Humane Society and previously served on the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission, Verde Valley Homeless Coalition and Verde Valley Leadership.

What makes you qualified to be on Cottonwood City Council?
Beyond my professional experience, I have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service, community involvement and local government. Having served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and now on the City Council, I understand the challenges facing our community and how local government operates.

I bring a practical, common sense, solutions-oriented approach to decision-making, with experience managing large budgets, leading diverse organizations, negotiating complex issues and building consensus. Most importantly, I believe in transparency, fiscal responsibility and ensuring that city government remains responsive and accountable to the residents it serves.

The city of Cottonwood declared a housing emergency in February 2025. Is this a fair assessment and what steps would you take if elected to address housing?
I believe the declaration reflected a very real concern regarding housing availability and affordability in Cottonwood. Like many communities throughout Arizona, Cottonwood has experienced significant population growth, increased housing costs and a shortage of workforce housing.

Addressing housing requires a balanced approach. We must continue encouraging responsible residential development while ensuring that infrastructure, public safety, water resources and quality of life keep pace with growth. I support working with developers to create a wider variety of housing options, including workforce housing, while streamlining processes where appropriate to reduce unnecessary delays and costs.

We must protect existing neighborhoods and ensure that growth occurs in a manner consistent with the community’s vision. Housing solutions should be sustainable, fiscally responsible and developed through meaningful public engagement.

What is your vision for economic development in Cottonwood?
My vision is to continue building Cottonwood into the economic hub of the Verde Valley while preserving the character and quality of life. Economic development should focus on attracting businesses that provide quality jobs, diversify our tax base and complement our existing strengths.

There are significant opportunities in health care, technology, professional services, light manufacturing, aviation-related industries connected to the airport and outdoor recreation. We should continue supporting our thriving tourism and hospitality sectors while also recruiting businesses that provide year-round employment.

The city should maintain a business-friendly environment by investing in infrastructure, improving customer service, reducing unnecessary barriers and working collaboratively with regional partners. Economic development is not simply about growth — it is about creating opportunities that benefit residents and strengthen the community for future generations.

How would you prioritize Riverfront Park’s development and ensure that community input shapes the park’s future?
Riverfront Park represents an opportunity to create a destination that serves residents while enhancing our connection to the Verde River. My priority would be to develop the park in phases, focusing on essential infrastructure, river access, trails, public safety features, parking and environmental stewardship.

Any development should balance recreation, conservation and long-term maintenance costs. The Verde River is one of our community’s most valuable natural resources and protecting its health must remain a central consideration.

Community input should drive the vision. I support a robust public engagement process that includes public meetings, online surveys, stakeholder workshops and outreach to neighborhood groups, environmental organizations, youth organizations and local businesses. Residents should have multiple opportunities to provide feedback throughout the planning and development process, not just at the beginning. The best Riverfront Park will be one that reflects the values, needs and priorities of the Cottonwood community while remaining financially sustainable.

Scott Ellis

Formerly the Cottonwood Community Development director who now works the same job in Clarkdale, Scott Ellis seeks elected ofce in his home town.

• Time in Cottonwood: 13 years, with 40 years in the Verde Valley.
• Professional/personal background: Scott Ellis is currently Clarkdale Community Development director and was formerly the Cottonwood Community Development director for 12 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in geography and master’s degree in applied geospatial technologies. He is a certified public manager.

What makes you qualified to be on Cottonwood City Council?
Arizona native, raised in the Verde Valley. I have attended many leadership classes and programs, including Arizona State University’s Certified Public Manager Program. I worked for the city of Cottonwood for 12 years, so I know the ins and outs of how the city operates and what is needed.

The city of Cottonwood declared a housing emergency in February 2025. Is this a fair assessment and what steps would you take if elected to address housing?
They only declared a housing emergency because a local jurisdiction asked them to [the city of Sedona].

Housing is certainly a major issue and should be addressed, but labeling it an emergency may have not been the best approach.

Discussions with low-income developers, regional stakeholders and other jurisdictions should happen to collaboratively address housing.

What is your vision for economic development in Cottonwood?
Growth is inevitable. My vision is for smart, thoughtful and sustainable growth that strengthens the local economy without losing the small town character.

How would you prioritize Riverfront Park’s development and ensure that community input shapes the park’s future?
It should be phased and fiscally responsible. Not everything can and should be built at once. Focus should be on access, amenities and protecting the river corridor. Community input needs to be ongoing and meaningful, not just a one-time exercise.

Debbie Wilden

Debbie Wilden was appointed Cottonwood city councilwoman in October 2019 to replace Councilwoman Deb Althouse, who moved out of the area. She won a full four-year term in 2022 and served as vice mayor from January 2023 to January 2026 after being elected by her fellow council members. She now seeks a second four-year term.

• Time in Cottonwood: 20 years.
• Professional/personal background: Cottonwood City Councilwoman Debbie Wilden, a former vice mayor, comes from a third-generation farming family in and around Phoenix since the early 1900s. She was raised in Litchfield Park and went on to the University of Arizona, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in public administration. She worked for the governor of Texas. Her career included commercial real estate, major account sales with corporations and the federal government, economic development and chamber of commerce management for over 18 years, including the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce.

What makes you qualified to be on Cottonwood City Council?
Six years of experience serving the residents of Cottonwood as a council member, where I welcome all sides of an issue or opinion. A degree in public administration. Many years of preparing budgets with cost-saving actions. Successful background in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Excellent and grateful relationships with local, regional, state and national leaders. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, reliable and willing to listen. I love Cottonwood.

The city of Cottonwood declared a housing emergency in February 2025. Is this a fair assessment and what steps would you take if elected to address housing?
Absolutely, as I work in property management, we hear almost every day that people can’t find affordable housing. Our property is currently 100% occupied, with people on the waiting list. This is throughout the Verde Valley and basic economics — supply and demand — tells us we need to focus on helping those in need of basic shelter. We will continue to update studies and assist developers in building “appropriate” housing.

What is your vision for economic development in Cottonwood?
Build on local assets in an incremental, community-focused way. Our Strategic Plan says it best; visit “Economic Development Strategic Plan” on the city of Cottonwood website.

How would you prioritize Riverfront Park’s development and ensure that community input shapes the park’s future?
If we were to base decisions on our demographics, we would focus on adult users. However, we should enhance our parks to attract and accommodate younger users. We can gain more useful knowledge by taking our community forums to them, i.e., the Mingus Union High School auditorium and other schools. Being transparent and acting proactively will guide us in the right direction.

Heather Piper White

A 2024 candidate, Heather Piper White is running as an official write-in candidate this cycle. Voters will have to write in her name on the ballot to cast a vote for her.

• Time in Cottonwood: 20 years.
• Professional/personal background: Heather Piper White is an official write-in candidate for the Cottonwood City Council. She previously ran in the 2024 election.

What makes you qualified to be on Cottonwood City Council?
My passion to prioritize residents and their families over tourism and my detailed knowledge about both the city’s history and the city’s resources make me qualified to be on council.

The city of Cottonwood declared a housing emergency in February 2025. Is this a fair assessment and what steps would you take if elected to address housing?
No. Currently, just within the city limits alone, the vacancy rate on homes is nearly 9% and this does not include rentals. This being said, the median income in Cottonwood is grossly disproportionate to the median home price. However, this is not due to a shortage of homes.

What is your vision for economic development in Cottonwood?
My vision for economic development is to create a balance between the median income and median cost of homes within the city.

In order to begin accomplishing this, my goal as a council member will be to help lead the City Council in focusing efforts on diversifying job opportunities within the city.

How would you prioritize Riverfront Park’s development and ensure that community input shapes the park’s future?
I would lead the city council in discussions and then actions to redirect city spending towards residents as quickly as possible. This redirection will assist in prioritizing the development of Riverfront Park. I would encourage the city council to hold an open forum for families and for organizations that lead youth sports programs within the city so that they can provide their input on the park’s development and improvements. The ball fields in this town are limited at best. In addition, Riverfront Park should be more catered towards the residents and less toward the tourists. Improvement on the ball fields, and emphasis on STEM learning would be greatly welcomed by the residents. While this all costs money, I am confident that with better spending habits and better financial decisions that the city can accomplish this.