Matt Answers 10 PVCA Questions

Recently, all Town Council Candidates were asked to provide answers to the following questions.

QUESTION 1:
As a Councilmember how will you include citizens in the decision-making process and how will
you ensure that the Town Council is responsive to the needs of current and future residents?

Matt: Residents already have the ability to be included in the decision-making process, to a degree,
but I do feel there are limitations and that we can improve upon the process and enhance
residents’ experience. I can’t speak for the current council members, nor address their
responsiveness to residents, but I can speak to my own record of responsiveness as an elected
and an appointed official. I believe in having an open-door policy, and I welcome feedback and
ideas from my fellow residents as to how they would like to be more involved. I will meet with
residents, and I will work to find the best solution that balances the needs of the Town with the
concerns of the residents. Every resident’s voice is valuable; we may not always see eye to eye,
but I will always listen to you and hear what you have to say. I firmly believe that we can
educate each other and work together to make a difference in our community.

QUESTION 2:
Please explain why you believe, or why you do not believe, that the Town of Prescott Valley
would benefit from the establishment of a charter government.
(Suggested reference: What All Elected Officials Need to Know Chapter IV)

Matt: I am open to studying the feasibility of Prescott Valley becoming a Charter City and a charter’s
ability to improve residents’ involvement at a local level. However, I have a couple of
reservations. First, according to State law, the Town of Prescott Valley would become the “City
of Prescott Valley,” and I feel we will lose some of the uniqueness and charm that we have with
“Town” in our name. Second, it depends on how the charter is written and the stakeholders
involved who are a part of that process. If not done correctly, it could cause the opposite effect
of protecting the residents.

QUESTION 3:
Explain why you are, or why you are not, in favor of a Code of Conduct / Ethics Policy for
elected and appointed officials. Suggested reference: Code of Ethics

Matt: I am in favor of a Code of Conduct / Ethics Policy for elected and appointed officials. The Town has an existing, older policy that applies to Town employees that requires updating, and it is unclear how (or if) it may apply to the Town’s elected officials – in my experience, it is applied in varying degrees to appointed officials (“volunteers”), though they are not specifically referenced in the policy. The Town needs a clear, updated policy for all Town officials: elected, appointed,and employees.

QUESTION 4:
The construction of the Sundog Connector Hwy will likely come before the Town Council. As an
elected Council Member, what position would you take on this issue and why?

Matt: The Sundog Connector will not come before the Town of Prescott Valley anytime soon, and the
construction of the roadway will be far too expensive to consider. That said, I am a proponent of
increased connectivity, specifically east-west connectivity, for public safety reasons.

QUESTION 5:
As an elected Council Member what type of plans would you support for the development of
Glassford Hill?

Matt: Glassford Hill needs to be left as open space, with only minimal development that improves the
existing trail system and highlights the history Glassford Hill has had in our region. Glassford Hill
is also the most prominent natural feature of our Town and should remain unmarred.

QUESTION 6:
What ideas do you have for strengthening and/or improving the town’s development design
standards? (Suggested reference: Sedona Land Development Code)

Matt: While we do not need to be as stringent as Sedona, I do believe that the Town of Prescott
Valley could benefit from improved design standards. I am in favor of studying the feasibility of
strengthening the Town’s codes as they apply to development design, especially along the 69
corridor. This is the first impression many people get of the Town of Prescott Valley, and we
have long suffered from nonexistent design standards that have allowed our main frontage to
project an inconsistent and shabby façade.

QUESTION 7:
What are your ideas for achieving regional cooperation in the areas of water management,
growth and development? (Suggested reference: Prescott Valley Water and Growth: Status & Solutions

Matt: We need to work with all area municipalities – the City of Prescott, Town of Chino Valley, Town
of Dewey-Humboldt, Yavapai County, and the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe – on water management,
growth and development. We need to work with our Verde Valley colleagues, as well. Each
municipality has operated within its own silo for far too long, and we need to realize that what’s
good for one can be good for all, especially when there are good ideas and efforts being made.
We need to continue to facilitate open lines of communication between jurisdictions in a way
that benefits the entire region. We and our neighbors cannot continue to jealously guard
innovative and beneficial concepts – we need to share them for the benefit for the greater good.
Regional cooperation is critically necessary for the needs of our area – not just the Town of
Prescott Valley, but the region we inhabit.

QUESTION 8:
Have you, or will you, accept campaign contributions from major landowners, developers,
builders/building supply companies or realtors?

Matt: The popular answer is to say, “no, I will not accept any contributions” from members of the
stated professions. However, I am willing to accept campaign contributions from any family
member, friend, or respected colleague, regardless of their profession. I think it is short-sighted
and irresponsible to paint every person within any given profession in only one way, or under
the assumption that they are out to “own” a candidate. To be clear, I will not accept contributions
that I feel are offered with “strings attached.” I am very much my own person, with my own
opinions, and I have never, and will never, craft my opinions or cast a vote that is dictated from
anyone other than myself.

QUESTION 9:
Describe a policy or initiative that you feel so strongly about that you would stand up and defend
it publicly.

Matt: Public safety infrastructure. As a current representative of a first-responder agency, I am huge
proponent of improving our infrastructure to ensure faster response times and fire hydrant
accessibility throughout the Town. Public safety encompasses police, fire and medical
response, and all residents should feel confident that their emergency call will be responded to
quickly and will provide them with the best possible service. I will always stand up and publicly
defend our first responders and whatever they need to serve our community.

QUESTION 10:
Please list any of your past civic / community involvement or volunteer work.

Matt’s Experience:

Yavapai County Board of Adjustments
Member, General Board
July 2021 – Present

Central Yavapai Fire District Board (Elected)
Governing Board Member, 4-year term November 2016 – Present
Chairman December 2019 – Present

Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority Board (appointed)
December 2016 – Present
Chairman December 2020 – Present

Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce
Treasurer, Board of Directors / Executive Committee July 2016 – July 2017 Member, Board of Directors July 2011 – July 2017
Chairman, Governmental Affairs Committee August 2009 – July 2017

Prescott Valley Planning & Zoning Commission (appointed)
Member February 2014 – September 2023
Chairman April 2017 – September 2023

Yavapai County Planning & Zoning Commission (appointed)
Member July 2013 – December 2016
Secretary December 2015 – December 2016

Prescott Valley Early Bird Lions Club
Member October 2011– Present
2nd Vice President July 2015 – July 2016
Treasurer July 2012 – July 2013

Prescott Valley Police Foundation
Immediate Past Chairman June 2015 – June 2016
Chairman June 2014 – June 2015
Vice-Chair July 2013 – June 2014

Yavapai County Workforce Development Board
Member, General Board 2007 – 2015
Member, Executive Board June 2008 – June 2013
Chairman of the Board July 2008 – July 2010

Prescott Valley Citizen’s Academy
Class of 2013