Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow Resigns:

Community | Editorial By Mark Brewer Editor-in-Chief

Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow has resigned, effective September 30, ending his term more than a year early. The announcement, delivered by email to city leadership, was strikingly terse: “Kurt: Please be advised that, effective today at 5:00 p.m., I am resigning my position as Mayor. All the best.” Vice Mayor Holli Ploog is now temporarily serving as acting mayor until the council votes on a longer-term replacement later this month. The appointed interim mayor will hold the seat until the November 2026 election. The resignation follows months of controversy inside City Hall, including complaints of a hostile work environment, disputes over the installation of automatic license plate readers without council approval, and an unprecedented public censure by council earlier in September. Council had already voted to remove the license plate cameras and terminate the city’s contract with Flock Safety after concerns about surveillance, privacy, and the mayor’s role in pushing the project forward.

Jablow’s decision to step down came just weeks after council formally censured him for conduct that included interfering with staff, acting outside his authority, and violating council procedures. It was only the latest in a series of clashes between the mayor and city leadership, culminating in a vote of no confidence that made his position increasingly untenable.

With Jablow’s departure, the city must now fill both the mayoral vacancy and maintain stability on a council already grappling with questions of transparency, internal accountability, and public trust. Residents will soon be invited to apply for the open council seat, with interviews and an appointment scheduled before the end of October.

The episode leaves Sedona at a crossroads. While Jablow’s exit may bring a measure of closure, the underlying issues that brought City Hall to this point remain unresolved, from oversight of major city projects to the broader concerns of transparency and public engagement.

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