She was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Political Science. Her first job was with the State of Arkansas followed by several years in the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Senator John L. McClellan of Arkansas.

She married the love of her life Lynn D. Colquitt and shared almost 30 years together until his death in 1991. Their children, Kimberly Lynn and David Floyd, are grown and both live in Arizona.

Mayor Colquitt relocated to Sedona from Winter Park, Florida, 14 years ago. Her first involvement in Sedona community service was in 2001 when she was appointed a Planning and Zoning Commissioner where she served until 2004.

She ran successfully for a council seat in 2004, and was elected by fellow councilors to serve as mayor.  She subsequently ran for that position and became Sedona's first popularly elected Mayor in 2006. She shares her home with three dogs, and takes great pride and joy in her six-year-old gray registered quarter horse named “Quinn.”

The following are her answers to SVVT’s questions:

Q. Name three major challenges Sedona now faces and how to meet them.

A.  In my opinion, the three major challenges--and opportunities--facing Sedona are securing our sound economic present and building on it for the future; relieving traffic in Uptown and West Sedona; and mitigating the SR179 construction impact on the economy of the City and the quality of life for citizens over the next two and one half years.

The 2004 Council realized the need for a long- range approach to financial planning, and began the development of a five-year financial plan that the City has now adopted. This plan enables the Council and staff to identify and prioritize the most needed infrastructure projects; provide support to the business community, which provides the revenues on which the City functions; to build partnerships with and support non-profit groups that provide services for our citizens, especially youth and seniors; and to maintain a safety net of reserves for unexpected economic downturns.

Traffic and its safety challenges are at the top of my list of concerns.  With only three routes into and out of Sedona, options for relieving congestion are somewhat limited.  Since I have been Mayor, the Police Department has expanded and now has the manpower to slow traffic and make road safety a priority.  Moving people through the area must be addressed on a regional basis, however.  A regional transit program could be instrumental in reducing the number of vehicles on the road, serving not only the local labor force, but also for those residents who need services in Cottonwood.

An alternate route across Oak Creek could reduce the volume of traffic and improve safety from the VOC via SR179 through the "Y" and into West Sedona. The impact of the upcoming construction on SR179 is a huge issue facing the City, the business community and residents.
As Mayor, I have been working with ADOT, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Main Street Program for over a year to identify and put in place the tools and programs we will need to keep traffic moving, businesses thriving and our residents safe.  We are all committed to learning from Phase 1 in the VOC, maintaining open communications, and working together.
Strong, steady and experienced leadership is key during this period of time.

Q. What is your stand on 89A?

A.  With every fatal accident on 89A having been due to a driver's inability to see a pedestrian, lighting is an issue of balancing safety with dark skies. I believe we must have safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians and can accomplish this while honoring the dark skies ordinance developed by Keep Sedona Beautiful and the City. I have faith that this ordinance is strong enough to accomplish its job and still have safe lighting.

More than 70 street and pedestrian lights from Canyon Drive to the “Y” are included in the SR179 project that was developed by hundreds of hours of public community participation, providing the direction and agreement for lighting along that corridor. I have faith the same can be accomplished for the 89A West Sedona corridor.

Q. What is your position on part-time rentals?

A. I support the current City ordinance that does not allow rentals for less than 30 days. The issue, in my opinion, is greater than that of short-term rentals. It involves the right and obligation of a city to uphold its zoning ordinances.

Q. What is your take on the Fitch proposal for the Cultural Park?

A. I voted in favor of this Community Plan Amendment.

Q. How about local real-estate taxes?

A. I do not support any new taxes. We, as a community, must live within our means, addressing our needs and deciding what desires we are able to fund.

Q. What are some of the City Council’s major accomplishments during your term as Mayor?

A. Our major accomplishments were not just mine, but came from a Council working together under my leadership. I am proud of our accomplishments and my involvement in:

1. Leadership during '04 flood and the '06 Brins fire;

2. Facilitating the resolution of the “sycamore tree,” drainage, sidewalk, and creek bank issue between Tlaquepaque and ADOT by working with the Governor’s office and the Attorney General which enabled all parties to be heard;

3. Developing the Five-Year Financial Plan;

4. Simplifying the budget process, making it more understandable, involving citizens in its development, and providing six-month reviews of ongoing projects as well as budget reviews;

5. Completion of the Uptown Enhancement Project required to bring the area up to Americans For Disability Act (ADA) standards;

6. Saving approximately $1 million by refinancing bonds, cutting $6 million from City’s costs to ADOT on the SR179 project and $2 million from the Uptown Enhancement project;

7. Hiring a federal lobbyist and securing $564,000 federal funding for regional communication dispatch improvements;

8. Saving the Heritage Grant funding threatened with the failure of the original Cultural Park by negotiating to transfer funds to the Barbara Antonson Park and the Creekwalk projects;

9. Building strong relationships with the Governor’s office as well as our Congressional Delegation;

10. Continuing to maintain a very strong cash reserve in excess of 50 percent currently at 85 percent;

11. Bringing the Police Department to an improved staffing level which enabled traffic safety;

12. Providing preventive maintenance for the Wastewater Plant and the City Hall Complex, the City's two largest assets;

13. Supporting a study to find a method for point source discharge at the wastewater treatment plan to alleviate the need to spray effluent; and facilitating on-going regional meetings to find solutions for locating a local waste transfer station to mitigate forest dumping and encourage "fire wise" practices;

14. Founding and participating in monthly Mayor/Managers luncheons with other Verde Valley communities to better communication on regional issues;

15. Holding more than 30 “Mayor’s coffees chats” to address questions and concerns of residents, as well as neighborhood, homeowners' association, and arts, business and spiritual/metaphysical community meetings;

16. Sponsoring community events such as Western American Day, Memorial Day, and Easter Egg Hunt by partnering with the business and non-profit community;

17. Improving emergency management oversight for flooding, wildfire, pandemic flu preparation and school safety through partnerships and communication at local, state and federal level;

18. Supporting Partners Against Narcotics Traffic (PANT) through regional law enforcement cooperation;

19. Introducing and gaining Council support for a 20-year re-development/economic plan to protect and determine the integrity and character in the future;

20. Creating the Senior Referral Service position to provide information for needed services;

21. Increasing recreational activities through the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Q. Name areas where the present Council could have done better?

A.  I would have preferred to not have allowed the Cultural Park property be divided into two sections, but rather required a development plan for the entire property. I also think we could have done a better job with the weed issue. I would like to see a comprehensive plan for the use of non-toxic and natural solutions to our problems with weeds and pests rather than a knee jerk reaction to public demand.

Q. Are you endorsing anyone for Council?

A. I am not endorsing anyone, but look for someone who is a team player, hard worker, and creative thinker.
 

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