[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6478976,"mediaKeyId","5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb","parentId",5707479,"title","Bullhead Community Garden board previews grand opening, thanks city and donors","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",2538000,"endMs",2744000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb&start=2538&end=2744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb/thumbnail_2538000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478976/Bullhead-City/Mohave-County/Arizona/Bullhead-Community-Garden-board-previews-grand-opening-thanks-city-and-donors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478976-600a478766a2fdeb8d1555fea3765f30/orig.mp4?Expires=1770956685&Signature=R--t8q6azgqYo0AyMpYavhCRH7Fj2OWkVUZ8ojFCGsH362xU4AZrBprGZz3YUC4Ueu2R-e0UTipP4rZBHOu72IHAwrM~pXvBjGwX-6Y42xOdhCm3BL6Ut4E8zQVe2NyPFeLadOp9CHiYud50NL9R8qXR4VkfXE3kmLFOaAJ68qAtacJte5or4m4xM02BIpSDEAsWzlt2n3bYl00j2F02q4rAFhias~ETUws-UlCv92jmF46r91mH7rZ5g19DSfcZD~Z0rzJWcYL2g6GqfIGMdxQPKeHpvwvN4~iFFC6UmNVevi7tVEeDuDJ7NKhDJ9UbCH1baMP21PpgkWr1on5H-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bullhead City","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of the Bullhead Community Garden, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, gave the city council a project update on Sept. 2 and invited the public to the garden's grand opening set for Saturday, Sept. 6 at 9 a.m.

President Michael Palacios and board members described progress since volunteers and partners started site work: fencing, irrigation, accessible pathways, shade and the first set of garden beds. Palacios thanked the city for providing the land and early grant support, Mohave County for ARPA funding that accelerated construction and the BHHS Legacy Foundation for additional financial help. The organizers said Butch Redmond donated dirt and leveling work and several local businesses provided materials and services.

When fully built the garden will offer up to 100 beds and demonstration space for water-wise gardening. The group urged interested residents to visit bhgarden.org to lease a bed or volunteer.

Ending: The board asked the council and community to attend the grand opening Sept. 6 and to consider supporting the next construction phases.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bullhead City - Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Bullhead Community Garden presented a progress report and invited the public to its phase‑1 grand opening Sept. 6; organizers credited city land use, ARPA funding and BHHS Legacy Foundation support for completing phase 1 of a three-phase plan.","taxTitle","Bullhead City, Mohave County, Arizona","taxId",54694,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478981,"Council accepts $75,000 donation for Rotary Park pickleball shade, approves budget amendment",439,3465000,3904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb&start=3465&end=3904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb/thumbnail_3465000.jpg","/articles/6478981/Bullhead-City/Mohave-County/Arizona/Council-accepts-75000-donation-for-Rotary-Park-pickleball-shade-approves-budget-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478981-d455f8c099d8f4d7e10768b3c33b1ab9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770956685&Signature=UkUfmKpawpzSEqibW0GkWCdT6VIs3BbLFuVuGyw0qg3i2g5fFAhqgp--BBn5LxcHDLpoufXGf3Eb61hX-58tkmODgtxl0RM6zc2-W7qPZcf8Oz27DvXfjN8~YSDDKWRnzBnHy-Ty4BeRl6I0LaFBTlHduFQVtokOpjrlKNkECPrefCjIsJr2HYMpxF1o07FYeTVwUZ5QtNEKQy7cpduepKuKF4rVp1dUNP7qDzRAZfYf~8dCdJiv-R8cTEg3km8Z2FKVPYzKxTwjpfiQqUezOCNqM6pJxRbHiDcXY0CcCh7f5t1xMJJ7sshV~D9hQiYsXsy2qBCS7fqJlUwjwA1uRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bullhead City Council voted unanimously to accept a $75,000 donation from the Bullhead City Pickleball Club and to transfer those funds from the grant fund to the Parks Capital Projects Fund for construction of shade structures, concrete pads and bleachers at the Rotary Park pickleball courts.

Pickleball Club representative Laura Murphy told the council the group had been fundraising for three years and had secured grants and donations, including a Legacy Foundation grant that contributed roughly $50,000 of the total. Murphy said the club will donate the completed improvements to the city, which will own and maintain the improvements. Recreation and public‑works staff said the club had worked closely with them on slope, drainage and design constraints and that the city will administer construction rather than the club acting as the contractor.

Staff additionally told the council that bid documents are being prepared for the previously discussed indoor pickleball courts at the optimum (recreation) center and will be advertised once the city attorney completes the documents.

Why it matters: Pickleball court improvements address a rapidly growing local recreational demand and support tournament play, daily use and special events. The donation plus grant funding allows the city to complete the outdoor shade and seating improvements without a large one‑time appropriation from the city budget.

Council action: The motion to transfer and expend up to $75,000 for the work passed 7–0. Staff will manage the procurement and construction and accept the completed project from the club once built.

Ending: Club members present at the meeting handed a check to city staff for processing; staff said project administration will move forward and the city will maintain the completed improvements.","Council approved a budget amendment to transfer a $75,000 donation from the Bullhead City Pickleball Club to the Parks Capital Projects Fund to pay for shade structures, concrete pads and bleachers for Rotary Park courts; motion passed 7-0. Club members said $50,000 of the funds came from the BHHS Legacy Foundation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478984,"Council names Rotary Park dog-area \"Sandy Toes Beach,\" approves off‑leash pilot and amends city code",743,7586000,8329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb&start=7586&end=8329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb/thumbnail_7586000.jpg","/articles/6478984/Bullhead-City/Mohave-County/Arizona/Council-names-Rotary-Park-dog-area-Sandy-Toes-Beach-approves-offleash-pilot-and-amends-city-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478984-52bf50e8b6f72f3d01a2b74b3f5e622c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770956685&Signature=WV9otUrpXXraXGSofuQIdrAqpwvuZVop1xam4gOOjXeyrvvJU8NGZhZibEsUc4HagZaXMRVuYWMK-i-PRYL494tJhUS3IASSfeaYWKVQCKlN8UGl2I7Ob6DPK7lWKY-dVhHfGkmEU4lTmEHGp~WisG~irTK8ropJcE3BajEO6hpU3ppjCw4gcVD1Lm-hwEGFZebKV6TnV-WRvE~ZKoGGXysu0bjOkb~B8LMq3tVcGJWekXbyFiULzRA~RMJZDVaLlqjY025g3Qv5~MEbUO72YVQjHFDAcA0Ry61EL57lSxkdHKehrSJdDNx2kp2z2DXNWs2GrZ84qNrJk-eBSjPk1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bullhead City Council on Sept. 2 approved the name \"Sandy Toes Beach\" for the southwest beach area of Rotary Park and adopted a municipal code amendment to permit a designated leash‑free area in the park during posted hours.

The naming motion — which included administrative approval of the pilot rules for the dog area — passed 6–1. Staff later presented and council adopted an ordinance amendment to Bullhead City Municipal Code section 6.08.040 (running at large) and a companion resolution declaring the code change a public record; that ordinance vote passed 7–0.

Staff told the council the action establishes one designated off‑leash area (the Rotary Park southwest beach) while keeping leash requirements in effect for other parks and park areas. The approved administrative rules (adopted as part of the naming item) set operating parameters for the pilot: dogs may be off-leash only within the designated area during posted hours and owners must maintain control, meet vaccination requirements and follow posted rules. The council and staff said most operational details are administrative and may be adjusted as the pilot is monitored.

Public comment emphasized the need for owner control and safety. Scotty (self‑identified as \"Scotty from Bullhead\") warned the council that owners must maintain command and control and suggested training or certification for owners whose dogs will use an off‑leash area. John Reed urged the council to clarify exemptions for service animals; staff replied that recognized service animals remain exempt from leash restrictions where applicable, and the ordinance language was presented as narrowly targeted to the pilot area and times.

Why it matters: The change creates a legal exception to the leash rule in a single, posted area and will be treated as a pilot to allow the city to monitor safety, enforcement and community response before making longer-term code changes.

Ending: The code amendment (ordinance No. 2025-58) and the accompanying resolution were adopted Sept. 2; staff will manage the pilot and return updates as needed.","Council approved naming the Rotary Park southwest beach 'Sandy Toes Beach' and adopted a municipal code amendment permitting a designated off‑leash area during specified times; the naming motion passed 6–1 and the code amendment passed 7–0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478990,"Council approves removal of raised median on Highway 95 between Ricardo and Central after traffic study",801,7124000,7925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb&start=7124&end=7925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb/thumbnail_7124000.jpg","/articles/6478990/Bullhead-City/Mohave-County/Arizona/Council-approves-removal-of-raised-median-on-Highway-95-between-Ricardo-and-Central-after-traffic-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478990-99667752ca538a894fb9154458448feb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770956685&Signature=UoKkNID5~GbVcQjs8feg~gML-E6bCv6bP1Dp~xJyNicED6-Ts7InEd39cKRcvG3mfYfzONMz9GNp19rU9Dxlzz8DGB4zH0Juo4~ev5hJJzPTt3TwOjEahiwjakS3uCU7jkRWWuzxFkjEAQxCrNmgRKd0B6oI2fLCKnNrULu3CyhlXJdOV7ZM-~t-5MJq70UcVI~EdhDwljFQyimMZpf9pFcK0J9nzCVzDJF9bfB4iWYFuro0Yu-VVb6h1NYGJs1jyfKjp~7woGJkS6j0RxBhJHcJgxKMr84Qt66ndUZJRUt4bckiASOp7GvfeuBkyhAvS-AdGgoo8BCOwEY1BhWfuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bullhead City Council approved the removal of a raised center median on Highway 95 between Ricardo and Central Avenues after staff presented a consultant traffic study that recommended removal with modest safety improvements.

Public works staff (presenter identified as Mackenzie) told the council the median is pinned into the roadway and would require removal of the curb and median materials, milling about 1.5 inches of pavement, repaving and restriping. The approximate cost staff gave the council was about $100,000 for removing and replacing the lane with asphalt.

The council and staff noted the medians were originally installed by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) while ADOT owned and operated Highway 95; the city took ownership of Highway 95 within city limits. Staff said ADOT had installed several medians without city approval in earlier years, and this removal applies only to the single median between Ricardo and Central, not medians outside the city or other sections of the highway.

Why it matters: Business owners and residents along that block told the council the median made it difficult and sometimes dangerous to access businesses and required U-turns through busy intersections. Council members and multiple business owners said customers were lost and emergency response has been impeded at times by constrained traffic flow.

Public input: Several business owners and property managers described near-miss collisions and lost customers after the medians were installed. Anne Pettit, who identified herself as a property and business owner at 3767 Highway 95, told the council the medians made exiting and entering businesses dangerous and said tenants experienced revenue declines. Ray Jackson, manager at US Southwest, said he had observed police officers and other drivers stopping unexpectedly or reversing in traffic while trying to navigate the medianed section.

Council action: Councilmember (motion-maker not specified in transcript) moved and the council voted 7-0 to remove the median \"in accordance with the Green Light median removal study.\" Staff said the city will move forward to design and construction.

Ending: Staff said removal is limited to that specific block; other medians would be evaluated on their own merits and would require separate studies and approvals.","Bullhead City Council voted 7-0 to remove a raised center median on Highway 95 between Ricardo and Central Avenues after a consultant traffic study found removal could be done safely with standard pavement and striping work; estimated cost about $100,000 paid from city funds.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478993,"Bullhead City holds public hearing on proposed three-year water and wastewater rate increases",2131,3848000,5979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb&start=3848&end=5979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707479-749d093c81671b1105a9e4c76a1121bb/thumbnail_3848000.jpg","/articles/6478993/Bullhead-City/Mohave-County/Arizona/Bullhead-City-holds-public-hearing-on-proposed-three-year-water-and-wastewater-rate-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478993-dc35df5d6e55e5c124d18ae6c39d826a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770956685&Signature=eOVD27jH8oTGx3HA43VE6Up5trNz5cVy0RHZbgM1tK4xXClsFjNBdDWdU3vrErWyrkyestduDBzb~fvM2wIg6dBFaEjnK3ccD5h8I7UKEAEjgOuM1G34oafermcfQ~YI6li2Wgkhs6fow3AzshZ9mPsQ5GEYBNkkYuzXAVJb9birqOF9yW8y3k~s~l7h7ZfdnrZCRdUb9CPQqewmpDtough03Oe37WcnyN-svLK5ClULH5EdhIr~tYUHFzJEm5TW03AWApi5l85rFhjKVVbzKXz07FCrp7PC9EBMMkpmGU6sPXO-U6ecVCwAfjZLpvc9YFw74cZyYbwPtQJoZBC3yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bullhead City held a public hearing Sept. 2 on a staff proposal to raise water and wastewater rates over three years to cover rising costs, aging infrastructure and debt the utilities owe to the general fund.

City Manager Toby Carter and Utilities Director Mark Clark told the council the utilities operate as enterprise funds and must cover their own costs. Clark said the city has borrowed nearly $10 million from the general fund to pay for upgrades since taking over the system from EPCOR and that the borrowed sums will need eventual repayment. \"The general fund has not given us that money. They've loaned it to us,\" Clark said. \"And just like anybody else that takes a loan, eventually, you have to pay that money back.\"

The draft schedule presented would raise water base rates by about 19% on Jan. 1, 2026, then 14% on Jan. 1, 2027 and again Jan. 1, 2028. Wastewater (sewer) rates would increase 8% in each of the same three years. Staff said the increases are phased to soften the immediate effect on households and to bring the utility funds near break-even after three years.

Why it matters: Bullhead City's water and sewer operations do not receive general sales-tax support and must be self-sustaining. Staff said supply-chain disruptions, higher material prices and labor shortages have pushed project costs up 22%–52% on some capital work. The water operation carries the larger debt load; Clark said debt service accounts for about 38% of utility spending.

Staff also proposed a limited assistance program to reduce the burden on low-income households. The Bullhead City Utilities Assistance and Discount Program would offer up to $20 per account in monthly discounts (stackable up to that cap) for qualifying households: $10 for customers meeting low-income thresholds (based on up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines), $10 for active-duty military households, and $10 for disabled veterans with proof of VA disability status. Staff said the qualifying income threshold was revised from 100% to 200% of federal poverty guidelines after public feedback to make the program more generous; a household of four at 200% was described as roughly $60,000 per year during the discussion.

Public comments at the hearing emphasized customer hardship and local examples of water-system problems. At the start of the meeting several residents reported water leaks and claimed unusually high pressure and damaged plumbing after recent city repairs in Laughlin Ranch. Rebecca Hoskin, a Laughlin Ranch homeowner, described multiple emergency plumbing calls at her house and said a plumber measured household incoming water pressure above 150 PSI after a city repair. Another resident, Terry Fordyce, told the council technicians had told her the pressure problem was a known issue. Several speakers during the rate hearing said planned increases were a heavy burden on residents on fixed incomes. Sean Regan, identified as a Bullhead City resident, called comparisons to EPCOR \"disingenuous,\" saying the current council's decisions matter to people on fixed incomes. \"Now, you know, since you guys took over, my water bill has doubled,\" said Scotty, who identified himself as \"Scotty from Bullhead,\" during public comment.

Council process and next steps: Staff emphasized that today was a public hearing only and no vote was taken on Sept. 2. City staff said the council will consider adoption at its Sept. 16 meeting, and, if adopted, the increases would take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Staff also noted other customer protections to remain available, including a high-bill review process and payment plans.

Ending: Utility staff encouraged customers who want details on eligibility for the assistance program to wait for the formal adoption materials that will be published before the Sept. 16 council meeting and to contact the utilities office with specific questions.","City staff presented a plan to phase in multi-year increases for water (19% year one, then 14% in years two and three) and sewer (8% each year) to address aging infrastructure, supply-chain inflation and a $10 million loan from the general fund; public hearing set for Sept. 16 vote, with an assistance program proposed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bullhead Community Garden board previews grand opening, thanks city and donors

Council accepts $75,000 donation for Rotary Park pickleball shade, approves budget amendment

Council names Rotary Park dog-area "Sandy Toes Beach," approves off‑leash pilot and amends city code

Council approves removal of raised median on Highway 95 between Ricardo and Central after traffic study

Bullhead City holds public hearing on proposed three-year water and wastewater rate increases