Camp Verde Town Council election

The following are profiles by three of the four candidates running for three seats on the Camp Verde Town Council: Tanner Bryson, Councilwoman Robin Godwin and Councilwoman Patricia Seybold. Camp Verde Vice Mayor Wendy Escoffier Gary and Gary Thompson are running to be Camp Verde mayor and appear in a separate story. Election day is Tuesday, July 21. Early ballots will be mailed out the week of Wednesday, June 24.

Tanner Bryson

• Length of time in Camp Verde: 15 years (56 years in Verde Valley).
• Professional/personal background: Political newcomer Tanner Bryson is an entrepreneur in agriculture businesses. He is a University of Arizona graduate, with a bachelor of arts in illustration and design, and a professional rodeo athlete.

What makes you qualified to be on Camp Verde Town Council?
I’ve lived in the Verde Valley for 56 years and in Camp Verde for 15 of those years. I’m a local private business owner with a dozen employees and have committed a lot of time being on local committees and been involved in town business for several years. I have a love for our wonderful town and preserving its rural characteristics.

The Camp Verde Equestrian Center has had ongoing management instability and the Town of Camp Verde is seeking a new operator of the facility. What criteria matter most to you when evaluating any future operator?
It would be experience with operating a profitable and successful operation.

How would you work to advance the Sewer Line 260 Project? What type of development would you like to see in that area, and town-wide economic development more generally?
The sewer line along State Route 260 is vitally important for businesses to be able to come in. I’d like to see some type of cost-share program that would incentivize businesses to build and develop along 260. There could be a program looking at tax incentives that could help offset the costs for businesses looking to come in the area. I think it’s important for us to actively reach out to businesses and strike deals for future development. Especially when those businesses bring long term jobs for our citizens.

What specific role do you see for the town with regards to river stewardship?
I am a firm believer that private property owners and agricultural endeavors are our best mechanism for making our river healthier. I believe that any time you get bureaucratic agencies involved that oftentimes a problem becomes worse and stifled with regulation and red tape.

Much of the problem with the Verde River is that the cattle have been removed and landowners are held up with regulation with clearing and managing the waterway as it progresses through private property.

Robin Godwin

• Length of time in Camp Verde: 41 years.
• Professional/personal background: Camp Verde Town Councilwoman Robin Godwin was born in Prescott and raised in Chino Valley. She earned an associates degree from Yavapai College and a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education from Prescott College. Her teaching career began as a Montessori instructor and later at a charter school from which eventually retired. She returned to the workforce as an educator for Rainbow Acres for three-and-a-half years and retired several weeks ago. She is a member of Questers and Kiwanis of Camp Verde and teaches an advanced “English as a Second Language” class Monday nights at the Camp Verde Community Library.

What makes you qualified to be on Camp Verde Town Council?
For three years prior to running for council, I attended every council meeting religiously. By the time I ran, I knew how our local government worked and the issues that were being discussed. But what qualifies me, more than anything else is, that I am a concerned citizen of Camp Verde.

I love this small town and know that every citizen can make a difference. I would like to see continued progress for our town, in ensuring our community grows how we want it to and to create amenities and continue programs that will enrich the lives of Camp Verde residents.

The Camp Verde Equestrian Center has had ongoing management instability and the Town of Camp Verde is seeking a new operator of the facility. What criteria matter most to you when evaluating any future operator?
As a rural, Western town interested in promoting our Western life style, it is imperative that we utilize the rodeo grounds for benefit of our community. Kudos to those who managed it in its infancy, however, we are entering the next chapter in the development of this resource. Financial accountability is the No. 1 criterion.

Secondly, would be enticing vendors that would enhance our sense of place and our shared history. I believe there is an opportunity to make the equestrian center into a viable, invigorating attraction to our town.

How would you work to advance the Sewer Line 260 Project? What type of development would you like to see in that area and town-wide economic development more generally?
For as long as I’ve been on council, I’ve been aware of the absolute need to situate large developments, corporations and big box stores along the 260 corridor. This would bring in sales tax, as well as, keeping our downtown area populated with local business owners. Doing so would keep our small-town feel on Main Street.

For these reasons, I have and will continue to support infrastructure improvements along 260.

What specific role do you see for the town with regards to river stewardship?
Overall, the Verde River was given a grade of C+, however the portion of the Verde within the boundaries of the Town of Camp Verde was given a grade of B-.

The town works with all water organizations in helping to maintain the viability of our river. The Town of Camp Verde has been in partnership with the Friends of the Verde River and monitors water quality. The town, also, has given financial support and in-kind donations to the Friends of the Verde River group.

I am a fierce defender of the last free flowing river in Arizona and will use my vote to ensure that the Verde River always flows through our town.

Patricia Seybold

• Length of time in Camp Verde: Seven years.
• Professional/personal background: Appointed to Camp Verde Town Council in June 2025, Patricia Seybold’s career began in teaching and culminated in the executive branch of the Kentucky Governor’s Office prior to retirement. She worked with local, state and federal elected officials in Michigan and Kentucky, their staffs and entities crafting legislation and policies to advance the rights and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. She is a certified mediator mediating workplace personnel disputes, family conflicts and church-based conflicts, which she said taught her to listen more and speak less.

What makes you qualified to be on Camp Verde Town Council?
Camp Verde operates under the council-manager form of government. This structure creates a line between the council and the town manager. Each has specific roles and functions. I understand the clear delineation between the two roles. I also understand that I am one of seven members of council. I recognize that I have little authority as a single member, because the majority vote is how decisions are made. I have been on the council since June. It has given me the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the town’s government. I will be ready to continue to my role on council if elected. I understand the oath that I took to follow the Constitution. I will not compromise that oath for any reason.

I am running for office because I desire to continue serving this community. I genuinely love the community and its residents. My desire to represent all residents of Camp Verde by seeking and listening to diverse perspectives on matters before the Camp Verde Town Council.

The Camp Verde Equestrian Center has had ongoing management instability and the Town of Camp Verde is seeking a new operator of the facility. What criteria matter most to you when evaluating any future operator?
The town assumed full responsibility for the Equestrian Center in the spring of 2026.

Since that time staff have been working to create a venue for both residents and visitors. To my knowledge, there are no plans to changes the current operation of the arena. The vendors who have utilized the space since the town assumed responsibility has run smoothly.

How would you work to advance the Sewer Line 260 Project? What type of development would you like to see in that area and town-wide economic development more generally?
Sewer and water infrastructure along west State Route 260 are of major importance to Camp Verde now and for the future. It will take significant financial investment to complete this project.

Town Council has placed this project as a high priority in its strategic plan and will continue to monitor its progress. Staff continue working to secure loans and grants to complete the project. The General Plan, which citizens will be voting on at the Tuesday, July 21, primary, designated this area as commercial. I support this designation.

What specific role do you see for the town with regards to river stewardship?
Camp Verde takes pride in the Verde River as it flows through our town. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the land surrounding the river and the river itself. The river is sacred to many in our community.

Using conservation methods, keeping the river clean of pollutants and debris and working with the various groups that follow the health of the river we can keep the Verde River viable for years to come.

Other Candidates

Camp Verde Town Council candidate Jackie Baker did not respond by press time.

Candidate Renee Hall withdrew from the election after moving out of Camp Verde.