Fifth District Representative Pedilla expresses concern for taxpayers, finds budget sufficient to provide opportunity to examine various areas and approve it; lauds Dr. Rhine for handling Community College during Pandemic and says she must deal with inequity issues between the East and West sides of the College
Fifth District Governing Board member Mitch Pedilla
Fifth District Yavapai Community College Governing Board representative Mitch Pedilla voted to approve the Community College’s $92.3 million budget at the May Board meeting. The budget included a 3% across the board increase for faculty and staff.
In his comments to the Governing Board, Representative Pedilla made it clear that he always has concerns about taxpayers when it comes to budgets. Local taxpayers should “never be taken for granted,” he said.
In response to Representative Paul Chevalier’s list of the Community College’s inequitable educational and cultural activities gap between the East and West sides of the County, he said that resolving that issue should be in the hands of the Community College president Dr. Lisa Rhine. He also said that he would be “shocked” if all the inequities listed by Mr. Chevalier would be addressed with any great change over the next ten to 20 years. He observed that in education “it is always balance against the greater good of the community and how education is supposed to be delivered.”
Mr. Pedilla lauded Dr. Rhine for her work in operating the Community College during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the Community College has done a great job of reaching out to the community in a variety of ways. He reflected on the excellent experience of his two daughters who had graduated from high school in Prescott and their positive experience with Yavapai Community College and its dual enrollment program.
In regard to the budget and its details, he found the presentation by the Community College a “great readout” and applauded Dr. Clint Ewell and his staff for their work on it. He was satisfied that the numbers provided him and other Board members the opportunity to “go deeper” into various areas and ask relevant questions. He noted there is always the potential in a budget for greater transparency but the numbers presented by the Community College were “very good.”
In closing, he said he would vote to approve the Budget. As an afterthought, he wondered why Yavapai College did not call itself “Yavapai Community College.”
You may view a video clip of Mr. Pedilla’s comments on the budget below. You may also view the entire Workshop by going to the District Governing Board website.