Prescott resident proposes composting toilets as lower-cost option for nature-center restroom

A public commenter at the Jan. 21 meeting urged the CDBG committee to reconsider a proposed restroom project at a Prescott nature center and suggested a lower-cost, composting alternative.

"I didn't intend to speak, but I would like to address ... the toilets you're talking about at the nature center," said Gary Warrubs, identifying himself as a Prescott resident with decades of grant-writing experience. Warrubs said the original cost for the restroom project was "50,000" and recommended a composting unit used at the Highland Center as a less expensive and practical alternative. He said the composting system is ADA compliant and estimated the cost for two side-by-side units at "about $20,000." Warrubs offered volunteer carpentry help and board support from the Greater Prescott Outdoor Fund.

Committee members and staff responded by clarifying project oversight and budget processes. McInnis explained that CDBG pays by reimbursement and grantees must complete work and submit reimbursement claims; if a project fails to complete within the allowable time, funds return to the CDBG budget for reallocation. The chair noted the comment as an example of a project that could be "changed and fixed" when an applicant revises scope or cost.

Warrubs' suggestion was recorded as public input; no formal action or vote was taken on the nature-center project at the meeting. The committee continues to request clearer project budgets and completion timelines from applicants to reduce repeat funding requests and avoid mid-project shortfalls.