Camp Verde Vice Mayor Dee Jenkins is running for mayor of Camp Verde against incumbent Charlie German.
What makes you qualified to serve as mayor of Camp Verde?
I have four years of experience on the Camp Verde Town Council as vice mayor and council person. I also have proven leadership and management experience in the business community. Most importantly, I love Camp Verde and will fight hard to do what is best for our community.
What makes Camp Verde great?
First and foremost, it is the people. Camp Verde is a place where you can retire or raise a family in a wholesome environment. It is located in the center of the state and is easily accessed from I-17 or SR 260. The climate, natural beauty, rural living, cultural diversity and the Verde River — the heart of our community — make it a great place to live.
What would be different with you as mayor?
I would strive to provide leadership to the Town Council and fiscal responsibility to the community. I have a business background with a heavy emphasis in finance and accounting. I would use that experience to ensure that Camp Verde is being financially responsible to our residents.
How will you help Camp Verde to recover from the coronavirus and resulting economic slump?
I believe that the town needs to focus on Economic Development to provide growth and jobs for the community and to assist our local businesses in bouncing back from this economic downturn. Business growth will add jobs which will stimulate our local economy.
Additionally, I believe that council should exercise caution in spending due to decreased revenues. We need to focus on maintaining current necessary services to our Town without accruing huge debts for the future.
How do you hope to keep Camp Verde affordable to residents?
Town government needs to recruit developers that will provide affordable housing alternatives for the residents. And to actively support current businesses and solicit new business that will provide jobs and a steady tax revenue stream. This will provide wages for our residents and increased tax revenues from business that hopefully will minimize the tax burden on citizens.
Dee Jenkins Candidate Essay:
I am a candidate for Mayor of the Town of Camp Verde. I’m 67 years old and have lived in Arizona for 40 years. I was elected to Town Council in 2016 and in 2018 selected by the council to serve as Vice Mayor.
Since 2001, I’ve been employed by Quintus, Inc located in Camp Verde. Currently I am the Chief Financial Officer and General Manager and the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Previous work experience was with W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Delaware and Arizona from 1970 to 2001. I am a past member of the Workforce Development Board of Yavapai County, NACOG.
As I scale back my professional career, I feel a strong duty and responsibility to utilize my extensive background in finance, business, computer skills, leadership and management to the betterment of Camp Verde.
I love living here and appreciate all the natural resources and the diversity of our town, the friendly people and western character that bring us together. I want to be mayor because I am uniquely qualified, love our community and will always act in the best interest of my employers — the citizens of Camp Verde.
As mayor, I would lead with honesty and integrity, be transparent in all transactions and dealings, and work to ensure that the town is operated in a financially responsible manner. I would seek to maintain and promote the character of Camp Verde, work to preserve and protect our natural resources and at all times encourage open communication between the town and our citizens.
COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on the financial health of both the town and our citizens. Decreases in revenue will necessitate close scrutiny of financial expenditures while ensuring that we continue to provide services to the community. During this time it is imperative that the town increases focus on bringing new economic development to the area while supporting existing businesses. These entities bring in tax revenue while providing much needed services and employment opportunities to our residents. Tax revenue will allow us to continue providing services, but we must be diligent to not over extend the town’s resources during this economic downturn.
On this same note, with the economic downturn, affordable housing is more important than ever before. We must work with our Economic Development Department to ensure that the town is recruiting developers that are interested in providing affordable housing for our community. This will not only assist residents, but provide a mechanism for our children to find housing here, rather than leave the area. As mayor, with council, I will work with the Economic Development Department and the Town Manager to give direction and set goals for business growth, using to the full advantage the Opportunity Zone Classification. Any goals set must be measurable and reported, which provides accountability to the citizens and demonstrates program success. However, any growth must conform to the voter approved General Plan of 2016.
Another area of importance to me is transparency in government. This means openness in all aspects of our government, as allowed by law. I believe that each area of our town government is answerable to the public and therefore should be open about all dealings. This means public meetings, financial income and expenditures, communications, and all public records. Citizens should be encouraged to participate in their government through comments and questions. I would like to see more information shared in council meetings and on the town’s website to allow for a better informed public.
Training and continuing education opportunities for our citizens, and in particular our youth, is something I am deeply passionate about. Business growth is limited by the available skilled workforce. The Career and Technical Education Center as planned by Yavapai College to be located on Highway 260 must become a reality that will provide an alternative secondary education to attending college elsewhere. The CET Center should align classes to business needs; this will ensure that graduates will have employment opportunities locally. As mayor I will make it a priority to partner with and strongly encourage Yavapai College to complete this endeavor sooner, rather than later.
Finally, I ask for your support and vote in the upcoming primary election. Please give me the opportunity to achieve the goals I have set for the town and to serve the entire community with honesty, integrity, to be financially responsible and to always encourage open communication and public participation.
