Tracy Lira, the Town of Prescott Valley's Neighborhood Services director, described the department's mission, structure and early priorities during a PV in Focus interview on the town's "PV in Focus" program.

Lira said Neighborhood Services was created recently: "Neighborhood Services started Oct. 23, so only a couple years now." She told the show's host the department combines animal services, code compliance, housing services and community engagement under one umbrella.

The department, Lira said, is intended as a first contact for residents who have neighborhood concerns, even when a matter later involves another department. "We really want to be that first contact agency for our neighborhoods," Lira said. She added Neighborhood Services will coordinate with police, development services and other town offices as needed.

Lira described Neighborhood Services as community-facing and education-focused, saying staff want residents to know "why we're here. We're here to serve them." She emphasized outreach and partnership work as lines of effort, including volunteer coordination and building relationships with neighborhood groups, faith organizations and other local partners.

On staffing and organization, Lira listed the department's divisions: "We have our animal services team, we have our code compliance team, housing services and community engagement." She said the consolidated unit creates opportunities to address issues that cut across enforcement, housing and animal care.

Lira noted the department's intent to provide tools and in-neighborhood services for residents with limited mobility or other barriers, describing a toolbox of equipment (weed-eaters, lawnmowers) and plans to place dumpsters or bring out crews for coordinated neighborhood clean-ups.

The department is running several pilots and said staff expect to refine services based on community demand and program results. Lira urged residents to contact Neighborhood Services as a starting point for concerns or ideas.

For more information, Lira directed residents to the Town of Prescott Valley Neighborhood Services webpage and encouraged callers with questions about animal issues or neighborhood concerns to reach out.