The Camp Verde Town Council discussed the formation of a town manager advisory working group for the Camp Verde Equestrian Center at its special session on June 10.
Since the town assumed management of the equestrian center on April 1, town staff have taken efforts to evaluate the center and its operational needs and consider future capital improvements.
“I think now more than ever, given the amount of money that is set to be invested into this asset, there’s a lot of value in having some form of a working group that can be subject matter experts,” Town Manager Miranda Fisher said. “They can give input and feedback on how money should be spent, what layouts could look like, spectator amenities, future events and operational needs, and in essence be an advisory group to the council.”
Fisher proposed a town manager advisory working group as a method of gathering input from facility users, community members, event organizers and other experts before large capital investments are made.
The purpose of the group would be to provide recommendations for things like future facility improvements, event and operational needs, site layout, long-term planning, spectator amenities and opportunities for partnerships, programming and revenue.
She recommended a group consisting of a council member, a parks and rec commissioner and seven equestrian users or subject matter experts who would be supported by herself, Public Works Director Ken Krebbs, Parks & Recreation Manager Shawna Figy and Special Initiatives Manager Cliff Bryson. These would be appointed by Fisher in collaboration with a council member as a liaison. The group would serve in an advisory capacity only, with their recommendations brought to the town council for consideration.
Fisher sought direction from the council on the town manager’s working group.
“The arena exists today because of the vision, the dedication and the countless hours contributed by members of our community,” Mayor Marie Moore said. “Over the years, citizens, volunteers, sponsors, local organizations have invested a significant amount of time, effort and resources into creating a facility that has become a very important part of Camp Verde’s identity. While the town has faced our issues with that situation, contractual challenges including the limitations that we faced with the Arizona Gift Clause, those challenges do not diminish the tremendous community investment that helped build the foundation of that facility.”
She said the town has the responsibility to ensure public funds are used strategically and thoughtfully.
“I believe that we need to evaluate not only what improvements are needed today, but also how those improvements are going to impact the property’s flexibility and usefulness for years down the road,” Moore said.
Moore stated that she prefers it to be a committee rather than a town manager working group, as she foresees this as a long-term situation and town managers can change and handle things differently.
“Creating an advisory committee would provide a formal way to gather that expertise and community input before significant investments are made,” she said. “The purpose of such a committee would not be to manage the facility, but rather to help the town evaluate opportunities, identify priorities, and develop a long-range vision that honors the facility’s history while positioning it for success. I believe utilizing the knowledge and experience that already exists within this community is going to ensure that we make the best decisions possible for both today and future generations.”
Vice Mayor Wendy Escoffier wanted the makeup of the commission or town manager group to include someone who has event experience outside of equestrian events. During the call to the public, a resident raised concern about hosting events that aren’t solely equestrian related.
Moore said the facility is named the Camp Verde Equestrian Center, but the council has certainly been considering non-equestrian events.
Fisher said she will bring back side-by-side differences between a committee and town manager working group.
Equestrian center capital improvement projects
The council discussed direction regarding projects for the equestrian center to include in the proposed fiscal year 2027 capital improvement plan.
In May, the council expressed a preference for permanent bleachers in the existing hillside seating area of the facility and asked the cost for a proposed secondary arena.
Currently, the capital improvement plan has allocated $625,000 for bleachers and shade structures and $30,000 for a secondary arena.
Staff recommended renaming the bleachers project to “equestrian center upgrades” to allow for future direction on things like bleachers, shade structures, utility, parking and site circulation improvements, arena enhancements and a secondary arena.
Staff also recommended repurposing the $30,000 for the secondary arena project to develop an Equestrian Center Facilities Master Plan which would evaluate the site layout, arena configurations, parking, circulation patterns, vendor/event spaces and future expansion, serving as a long-term map for future capital investments.
Councilwoman Patricia Seybold said that if they are going to have an advisory group, they should be the ones to decide whether a master plan is needed.
Escoffier said she was in favor of amending the bleachers project to equestrian center upgrades, then reallocating the $30,000 as either a secondary arena or master plan, whichever is the recommendation to council.
Moore agreed, saying that while she doesn’t want to spend $30,000 on another master plan, she believes that a long-term plan for the facility is necessary.
Fisher said the $30,000 should be labeled as equestrian center planning/amenities to allow for flexibility in either direction, and will have the CIP summary sheets show that change.
