Mayor Wilson's current office setup.

When Mayor Jack Wilson ran for office, he stated that if he won, he was going to replace the desk in his office with a conference table. Now Wilson is making good on that promise - the table has been ordered and is expected to be delivered in 5-6 weeks. The total cost? $5061.50.

That's not only for one eight-foot long table, that also includes a new corner desk and six adjustable pneumatic lift chairs. The table is called the "Nutcracker" and if you look at the photo at the bottom of the article, you can see why.

The price tag could have been much more - over $11,265 in fact. (You can download a copy of the purchase order here.) The table was purchased in Phoenix from Goodman's Interior Structures, a supplier with a state contract, and the only one in Arizona to carry this particular line of furniture. According to Cindy Esparza, the Goodman sales representative, Wilson received a considerable discount because of that Arizona state contract.

In addition, Wilson has offered to pay half of the invoice, leaving the City responsible for only $2530.75.

When Wilson was asked about the purchase, he replied dismissively, "It's old news. I talked about that when I was inaugurated. There's a 'Talk of the Town' in the Prescott Daily Courier and you can go read that if you want information on it."

It's a purchase that has not met with approval from most of Wilson's fellow council men and women; however, they had no control over the matter.

Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Mary Ann Suttles, explained her position, "I feel at this time that this is an exorbitant amount to pay for office furniture and I think that something else can be done until a better time. If the mayor chooses, then that's what he wants, then I think the mayor should buy it all. I don't believe that the citizenry should pick it up. That's my opinion... We're asking our department heads to cut, and it's a little hard when you're sitting at a $6000 desk to tell them that; again, my opinion."

Councilwoman Lora Lopas noted that the council had a lot bigger issues to deal with than furniture. Still, Lopas continued, "Would I have spent that? No. But, that's not my discretionary money. He does have a mayor's budget," Lopas said, "and I know that this is not exceeding it, so that completes it."

Councilman Jim Lamerson heard the discussion, and offered his view of the table, "Where we have a lot of budget constraints, we need to be very judicious as to how we spend it, what monies we have. Does he have the perogative? Yes he does. Would I? No, I wouldn't."

Councilman Bob Roecker pointed out earlier in the week, "This is a want, not a need."

Norwood was asked about the discretionary fund, and how much was available to the Mayor. He said, "No, there's not any discretionary [fund], I mean we do have some monies like that, but he doesn't as Mayor, or individual council members... You know, we have a new employee coming in, a city engineer, so the existing desk is not going to go to waste. And he said from the very beginning that 'I don't want a desk, I'd rather have a conference table, and he was willing to reimburse half, so it seemed reasonable to me, and I approved it."

Norwood understands that the majority of the other council members don't support the purchase, but he sighed and said, "I'm just going to move on."

In December, Mayor Wilson also requested that televisions be placed in the lobby outside Council Chambers. These televisions can be used in the event of overflow crowds during meetings and also special programming highlighting the City of Prescott during the day. But, that was another $4,444.51 expense. (You can download a copy of that purchase order here.)

Many residents aren't happy with the purchases either. As one middle school teacher commented, "I could have bought books for my class with that money."

Will the table fit?

Last week, in an interview with Suttles, she wondered aloud if the table would fit. Norwood was asked about the size. "It might be a little snug," he replied.

We were not given permission to measure the mayor's office. But, according to the chair manufacturer, the table is 96" (8') long and 81.4" at the widest part. It's going to take a fairly good-sized room to fit the table comfortably (see specifications here). And that doesn't even take into account the corner desk he also ordered.

The image to the left shows how the table might fit in a room that is sized 12' x 12'.

As Norwood said, it could be pretty snug, depending on how big the room actually is.

 The Nutcracker Conference Table can be set up in a variety of configurations. Photos courtesy of Cindy Esparza, from Goodman's.

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written by John Gillies, February 13, 2008

At least the "power desk" was paid for. The least he could have done is buy it from a local company.

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written by Tammy L, February 13, 2008

If my household or business was facing cutbacks and hiring "chills", the last thing I would approve or purchase is something that is absolutely unnecessary like this.

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written by Judy Blackford, February 14, 2008

Considering the city's current economic downturn, this is an unnecessary and wasteful use of taxpayer money. Also, when the mayor leaves office, will he demand reimbursement for the portion he paid? Maybe we should demand that he buy it. Along with the thousands already spent on televisions, it definitely looks like the people of Prescott need to hang onto their wallets tightly because the mayor definitely won't.

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written by What about the disabled?, February 15, 2008

How is someone with a wheelchair supposed to meet with the new Mayor in his office? If it's "snug," a wheelchair wouldn't fit in that room and it wouldn't be ADA compliant. The new mayor of Prescott is disenfranchising the disabled population of Prescott.

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written by Dave Sewell, February 15, 2008

Talk about fiscal irresponsibility! Mr. Wilson must not understand that he is NOT the boss when he is in public office. He is trying to be the CEO of Prescott, and will find out in short order that we the people are the boss.....not him.

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written by Holly, February 16, 2008

Chicago government brought into what was once a friendly town. Time for a recall anyone? I knew from the start he was a dictator only interested in his power. Look at his eyes folks. Mean soul, not interested in the town, but in his own agenda.

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