Dee Jenkins Masters the Yavapai County Challenge

Dee Jenkins, previously the Mayor of Camp Verde, has officially stepped into her new role as Yavapai County District 2 supervisor as of April 16. Her appointment follows the resignation of James Gregory, who left to assume the position of chief of police in Williams. Jenkins was selected from a competitive pool of Republican candidates, including Wiley Cline and Tony Utz.

With over 30 years of experience at W.L. Gore and subsequent work at a small Camp Verde business, Jenkins brings considerable local knowledge to her position. Her journey in public service began with her election to the Camp Verde town council in 2016, later becoming vice mayor and eventually serving three terms as mayor.

District 2 encompasses both sides of Mingus Mountain, as well as Camp Verde, Cornville, and portions of Dewey-Humboldt. Jenkins’ current term is set to last until the 2026 general election, at which point she will need to campaign for the remainder of the term through 2028 to maintain her seat.

“Right now, my focus is fully on understanding the role and addressing community needs,” Jenkins stated. She has initiated plans to host town halls to gather insights from both incorporated and unincorporated areas within the district.

Reflecting on her historic appointment, Jenkins noted the unique composition of her previous council in Camp Verde, which was entirely female, and expressed her commitment to quality over gender. “What matters most is the individual and their dedication,” she remarked, praising her fellow supervisors.

On June 4, the Board of Supervisors put forward a tentative county budget nearing $426 million, aiming for final approval on June 25. Jenkins participated in the budget’s development and noted the differences in scale compared to Camp Verde’s budget.

She voiced a desire for clearer insights into hiring processes, echoing concerns raised by District 3 Supervisor Nikki Check. The lack of accurate tracking for full-time equivalent employees due to outdated software raised alarms regarding the county’s employment decisions.

Jenkins remains eager to improve the county’s capital improvement plan and zoning ordinance. “I’m on a learning curve but very interested in the comprehensive zoning code update,” she said, referencing similar processes in Camp Verde.

Additonally, the board has nominated Jenkins and board counsel Martin Brennan to represent the county in negotiations for acquiring additional federal land for Windmill Park in Cornville. According to Forest Service Spokesman Brady Smith, various compliance processes are underway, with Jenkins actively engaged in the discussions.