Prescott Voters to Decide 5 Charter Amendments in November Special Election, Including Measure That Would Bar City From Funding Housing Infrastructure

Five charter amendments head to the November ballot in Prescott

Prescott voters will decide on five proposed amendments to the City Charter in a special election scheduled for November 3, 2026. The measures cover development agreements, open space requirements, property appraisals, city judge procedures, and a sweeping prohibition on the city using taxpayer money for housing development infrastructure.

The Prescott City Council approved the ballot language on June 23 after an earlier round of votes on March 10. The council adopted Resolution No. 2026-1977 to call the special election.

Proposition 401 would ban city funding for housing infrastructure

One of the most consequential proposals seeks to explicitly prohibit the city from funding or taking on the burden of future housing development infrastructure. According to a Daily Courier report, the council voted 6-1 to approve the ballot language for this amendment.

The measure would prevent Prescott from using public funds to support housing development projects going forward. Residents who support the amendment argue it protects taxpayers from bearing the cost of infrastructure that primarily benefits private developers.

Three other measures address development and city operations

The remaining four propositions were developed by the city's Charter Review Committee. According to the Citizen Portal summary of the June 9 council meeting, the measures cover:

• Development agreement restrictions — Tightening the terms and duration of development agreements between the city and private developers
• Open space requirements for annexations — Requiring meaningful open space in large annexation projects
• Appraisal requirements for city property purchases — Mandating independent appraisals before the city buys property
• City judge and infrastructure provisions — Language changes to city judge procedures and a redrafted measure on city infrastructure powers

The council approved ballot language for the first three measures with edits, notably changing multiple instances of "shall" to the clearer word "must." Two items involving city judge language and infrastructure requirements were sent back for revision and later returned for final approval on June 23.

Public can file arguments through August 3

The City of Prescott announced that citizens may submit arguments for or against each proposition from Monday, June 29 through 5 p.m. on Monday, August 3. Arguments must meet the following criteria:

• Not exceed 300 words in length
• Include a $100 fee per argument
• Include the name, address, and telephone number of the individual or committee chair providing the argument

Arguments can be submitted through an online form or by email to city.clerk@prescott-az.gov in Word format. According to the city, each charter amendment proposition will be voted on separately on the ballot. A "YES" vote would amend the charter consistent with the proposed language. A "NO" vote would leave the existing charter provision in place.

The broader fiscal context

The charter amendments come as Prescott finalized its FY2027 budget of $311.5 million. The property tax levy increase passed 6-1, adding roughly $188,000 to $190,000 in new revenue. According to the Prescott Pulse meeting summary, that equates to about $8 annually on a home with a $500,000 limited property value.

The council also approved Land Development Code updates to hillside development standards for commercial and multi-family projects on lots of 2 acres or more, with new slope disturbance limits and analysis requirements.

What happens next

City Clerk Sarah Thornhill oversees the argument filing period. For additional information on the proposed charter amendments or the 2026 special election, residents can contact the City Clerk's Office at 928-777-1437.

The five propositions will appear on the ballot in the November 3 special election. Each will be decided independently by Prescott voters.

"A 'YES' vote would have the effect of amending a particular City Charter provision consistent with the referred language adopted by the City Council at the March 10th and June 23rd Voting Meeting. A 'NO' vote will have the effect of leaving a particular City Charter provision the way it currently exists."

— City of Prescott, official election notice