The Camp Verde Town Council selected Gayle Mabery as the acting town manager for Camp Verde during its Dec. 6 meeting. 

Mabery, who had served as Clarkdale’s town manager for 21 years until her retirement in 2019, had previously served as the interim town manager for Camp Verde following the departure of Russ Martin in January. 

The council also unanimously approved the town’s separation and release agreement with recently-resigned town manager Ted Soltis, which stated that the town and Soltis desired to amicably terminate the employment relationship. 

The agreement also specifies that the town will provide Soltis with six months’ severance in a continuation of his $175,000 salary, will continue contributing to Soltis’ Arizona State Retirement Account based on the value of this compensation, will compensate him for all vacation leave and paid holidays and will pay for six months COBRA health insurance, life insurance and other benefits. 

Feldmeier Estates

The council also approved the preliminary plat for Feldmeier Estates, a proposed 12-lot subdivision on approximately 15 acres at 1902 and 2000 North Arena Del Loma Road. The Camp Verde Planning and Zoning Commission had previously approved the plat application unanimously. 

Rob Witt applied for the plat on behalf of the property owner, Opportunity Zone Development Company, in August 2023. The application proposes to subdivide the 15-acre parcel into 12 lots ranging from about 1 to 1.2 acres with a 40-foot-wide road with cul-de-sacs. Each lot will be large enough for a well site and septic system. 

While the property owner has proposed including an additional small lot with a water tank and well for fire suppression, both the Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District and the Town of Camp Verde are unwilling to accept ownership or maintenance of the well and tank. If the developer moves forward with this method to meet state fire suppression requirements, they would need to find a private solution to maintain the well and tank. 

Mayor Dee Jenkins said that she gets heartburn every time there’s talk of a new well and septic system. 

Councilwoman Cris McPhail described the application as an appropriate use of the land, but added that she doesn’t want to put in 12 wells. Witt said that he was willing to explore water options. 

Council approved the preliminary plat unanimously.