Yavapai County Appoints Camp Verde Mayor Dee Jenkins to Fill Crucial District 2 Vacancy

The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors appointed Camp Verde Mayor Dee Jenkins to the District 2 seat during their meeting on April 16. Jenkins steps in following the resignation of James Gregory, who left the role on February 19 to become the chief of police in Williams.

Jenkins was among several candidates for the position, including Cornville resident Wiley Cline, small businessman John Hughes, Utz Metalcraft owner Tony Utz, and former Supervisor Thomas Thurman, who previously held the seat from 2005 to 2021.

In advance of the vote, board members interviewed the applicants, discussing viewpoints on the perceived disconnect between Prescott and the Verde Valley, challenges facing the board, and their visions for the county’s future.

Vice Chairman Brooks Compton initiated the motion to appoint Jenkins, a move seconded by Chairwoman Mary Mallory. Following this, Supervisor Chris Kuknyo proposed an executive session to deliberate among the candidates, a motion also supported by Supervisor Nikki Check.

After the executive session, Jenkins was selected to fill the vacancy, contingent upon her resignation as mayor, which she completed prior to her swearing-in as a supervisor.

The mayoral role in Camp Verde has now been assumed by Vice Mayor Marie Moore. Town Manager Miranda Fisher stated that the town will announce details regarding filling the upcoming vacancy on the Town Council in May.