The Camp Verde Town Council unanimously appointed Patricia Seybold to fill the vacant seat on council during their meeting on Wednesday, June 11.
Former Mayor Dee Jenkins had resigned on April 16, following her appointment to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors to fill the District 2 seat, and Vice Mayor Marie Moore had assumed the office pursuant to town code, taking the oath of office the same day. Councilwoman Wendy Escoffier was then elected vice mayor.
Town Attorney Trish Stuhan said that the transition happened quickly. “I think your mayor here really wants to listen to the residents, and frankly, there’s something celebratory about a resignation and getting to recognize the passing of the gavel from Dee Jenkins over to Marie,” Stuhan said.
The council prepared a resolution to document Jenkins’ resignation and formally recognize Moore’s accession.
“This action commemorates and creates a record of this historic event, our former mayor Dee Jenkins being appointed to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, and it also provides a record of the lineage of our mayors with Mayor Marie Moore now serving in this position,” Escoffier said.
“After filling a vacancy for eight months as a regular council member, she began her first elected term,” Escoffier continued. “She was selected from among her peers to serve as Vice Mayor twice … It should be noted that by her actions, Mayor Moore does not view the role of mayor as a caretaker position. She is continuing the high standards of previous mayors. Mayor Moore is working diligently for our town by sharing our town’s needs with the governor and other state leaders, state legislators, congressmen and local industry and service providers. She doesn’t just share our community’s needs, she asks for tangible results such as grant money, changes in legislation and specific services. Our town is fortunate to have such a dedicated and caring mayor.”
The town received 10 applications for the vacant seat on council created by Jenkins’ resignation, which were reduced to eight by a scoring committee composed of town staff and residents. Council interviewed candidates on June 5, after which they voted to appoint Seybold.
Seybold previously served as chairwoman of the Camp Verde Planning and Zoning Commission and in other public positions in Michigan and Kentucky. She also ran in the 12-candidate general election for council in July 2024 and the six-candidate runoff election in November. Seybold received 1,586 votes in the November runoff election. Her appointment will run through the next general election.
