Big Idea

• Larry Tarkowski is retiring as the PV Town Manager after 16 years
• Tarkowski has lived in Prescott Valley since 1989
• Tarkowski credits his success to the PV community
• He will retire as of January 16, 2021
• Read More...

Larry Tarkowski says it’s time to retire!

Larry Tarkowski, Prescott Valley’s Town Manager of more than 16 years, has announced his retirement as of January 15, 2021.

The longest tenured manager in the Town's history, Tarkowski began his public service career as Prescott Valley’s Public Works Director in 1989. He served as Interim Town Manager twice before being appointed Town Manager in 2005.

As a management philosophy, Tarkowski has embraced long term vision, coupled with aggressive infrastructure development, as foundational elements critical to the success of the rapidly growing Town.

Tarkowski is a member of the American Public Works Association, serving as a past President of the Northern Arizona chapter. He is also a member of the American Water Works Association and the International City Manager’s Association. He has served as a member of the Governor’s Water Management Commission, as the Chairman of the Northern Arizona Council of Government’s Transportation Sub-Committee, as the Chairman of the Yavapai County Water Advisory Commission, as a founding member of the Northern Arizona Water Users Association and was appointed by three different Governors to serve on the Prescott Area Groundwater User Advisory Council.

He was honored with the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 2002 and the Prescott Valley Heritage award in 2015. He has called Prescott Valley home since 1989, and raised his two sons here. He helped to build the area’s youth soccer program from its inception, spending many years coaching and refereeing youth and college soccer.

Tarkowski attributes his success to Prescott Valley’s employees and citizens. “I want to thank the more than 35 elected officials and the hundreds of employee team members that have all embraced the concepts of passion, dedication, and customer service, which has encouraged the growth of this town from its humble beginnings to the robust community we have become,” Tarkowski said.

“Being allowed to grow and mature as a professional, and being embraced by fabulous people that have chosen to work for the Town or live here as engaged neighbors has been all the reward a person could ever ask. I am humbled to have been a part of this great project. We should never tire of proclaiming that we have built the largest, fastest growing, and most dynamic community in Yavapai County.”

Mayor Kell Palguta said Tarkowski’s leadership has helped to build the community Prescott Valley is today. “Larry has been a pillar of the Town of Prescott Valley for more than 31 years. His leadership and vision has helped to mold Prescott Valley into the community we all love and enjoy. His knowledge and progressive thinking will surely be missed. On behalf of the Town of Prescott Valley, I want to congratulate him on an incredible career and wish him all the best in his retirement.”