Cave Creek mayor intends to retire at the end of 2026

By Jeff Wendt
Mail

Cave Creek Mayor Robert Morris is not intending to run for mayor of the town in 2026 and will be supporting Vice Mayor Kathryn Royer as the next mayor, according to a letter Morris sent out on Monday.

Morris will retire at the end of 2026 after serving four years on the town council and four years as mayor of Cave Creek. 

Morris said the plan to retires has been a process.

""This has been in the plans for the last six months," Morris said. "This was not a spur of the moment decision."

"I have enjoyed every minute in government, beginning on a town committee, four years of council service and another  four years as mayor," Morris said in the letter.

Morris is supporting Royer, who was also elected to the council at the same time as Morris in 2018. 

"She (Royer) clearly has the expertise, wisdom and experience to protect Cave Creek values and lead council effectively," Morris said in the message. "Her high level performance is apparent in every meeting.

"The upcoming water availability crisis (Arizona wide by the way) is postponed for Cave Creek due to her conceiving and championing water banking," Morris added. "I urge every voter in Cave Creek to vote for the proven leadership of Kathryn Royer!"

Morris said he is most proud of the establishment of the fire department in 2021, which Morris says now covers all areas of the town with world-class medical reponse and wildlife suppression.

"That would not have been done without the property tax that some proposed," Morris said. "I will be forever proud of the lives and houses this will save far into the future."

Morris is also championing an effort to purchase 4,005 acres of state trust land in and around the town that has laid dormant for the past 15 years.

"By the end of my term I expect to begin implementation of the Town’s most ambitious acquisition, the 4,005-acre Arizona State Lands project that had lain dormant for 15 years," Morris said.

"We can afford big wins in public safety and conserving open space through the increased sales tax base and wise financial management," Morris added.

Morris isn't done with what he wants to accomplish in his last 11 months in office.

""Obviously resurrecting the proposal for the 4,005 acres of open space is very important to me,"Morris said. "I also want to improve some of the internal management processes we have. Not as many people will understand that if they don't have a business background."

Councilmember Joe Freedman thanked Morris for what he has accomplished.

"I would peronally like to thank Mayor Morris for his extremely productive service over the years to the town," Freedman said.  "Best of luck to Mayor Morris in whatever he does."

Morris thanked many people who he has worked with over the past eight years.

"The cordial, mutually beneficial relations with other municipalities must be continued," Morris said. "I commend my friend John Crane, Carefree mayor, for our joint progress.

"And, working with other council members has paid off with a town staff that is second to none," Morris added. "Every director and the town manager, Grady Miller, have decades of high-level, successful resumes in government. I thank Grady and former Town Manager Carrie Dyrek for their successful work."

There was one more special person Morris had to thank.

"Finally, I thank my wife, Jana, for supporting and working beside me in four elections and enduring the ups and downs of public life," Morris concluded.

Jeff Wendt
Reporter | Phoenix/Cave Creek

jwendt@iniusa.org

Meet Jeff
Jeff Wendt started at Independent Newsmedia in January 2023, after 25 years working for Gannett and The Arizona Republic. Started as a high school sports scoretaker, worked up to reporting high school sports and then became an associate high school sports editor in 2002. Also worked in the Design Studio as a copy editor.

Community: Jeff serves on the Board of Elders at his local church.

Education: Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication

Random fact: Attended Game 2 of the 2001 World Series.

Hobbies: Playing video games (yes still the kid in me), watching reality TV, playing poker.