Salvation Army will close thrift store during remodel; residents press council on transparency of city purchases

Captain John Burks of The Salvation Army told the council during call to the public that he and his wife are being reassigned and that the Bullhead City Corps will see leadership and facility changes. Burks said Captain Stacy Atanovich from Mesa Corps will become the new corps officer and that the thrift store will close because sales have not recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burks said the Salvation Army will continue core social services during the transition, including a clothing closet, food boxes, shower services and contracted veteran services. He described plans to remodel much of the building and to pilot a "Food Choice Pantry," which would let clients select items as in a small supermarket. "Our hope is to revitalize the building to help promote youth programming as well as a more robust social service food program," Burks said.

During the public-comment period, several residents criticized the city's recent acquisitions and spending. Bart Anderson told the council he supports smaller government and said he was "shocked" by the council's unanimous vote to purchase the Chaparral golf course, arguing that many residents would prefer tax reductions over municipal ownership of businesses. "These kinds of investments should be left to the private sector," Anderson said.

Sean Reagan (spoke as a resident) made similar comments, urging the city to provide more public notice and input before buying properties. Reagan referenced recent property purchases and said residents deserve more transparency about how tax dollars are spent.

No formal council action on the public comments was taken during the meeting; council members may direct staff to review issues or place items on a future agenda, but the meeting record shows no such direction related to the comments made this evening.