Council approves acquisition of Chaparral Golf Course; city to apply for liquor license

Bullhead City Council voted 7‑0 Tuesday to approve a pair of agreements that will transfer the Chaparral Golf Course and its facilities to city ownership and to authorize staff to apply for a Series 5 liquor license for the site.

City Manager Toby Cotter told council the transaction would have the city assume existing liabilities (staff cited about $406,000 in outstanding liabilities, including nearly $300,000 in back taxes) in exchange for all course assets: the clubhouse, the nine‑hole course, cart storage, maintenance equipment and related fixtures. Dan Ehler and Kevin Nestrick, representatives of CCC Inc., the nonprofit that operates Chaparral, addressed council and said CCC members voted to authorize the board to negotiate and execute a sale if the proposed agreement preserved the course and neighborhood amenities.

City staff described the site as both a recreational amenity and critical infrastructure: the back five holes lie in a floodplain where the city already has easements and pump infrastructure, and there is an on‑site lift station and pond tied to stormwater and sewer operations. Staff told the council reclaimed water could be shifted to the site in the future to reduce potable water needs.

City Attorney Emery and outside counsel explained the purchase and an accompanying asset purchase agreement are in substantial final form but noted one material provision now agreed: the city will operate the property as a golf course for at least 10 years; after that period the city may repurpose the land for other recreational or public purposes if operation as a course becomes financially impractical.

Supporters at the meeting said the acquisition preserves neighborhood green space and protects adjoining infrastructure; opponents questioned whether the city should run a business, raise prices or absorb ongoing maintenance and staffing costs. Several residents cited deferred maintenance and said the site will require repairs and investment. One public commenter urged the city to put the operation out to bid or to run the site under a concession model; staff said leasing or concessionaire arrangements could be considered in the future once the city stabilizes operations and addresses deferred maintenance.

City staff estimated current annual revenues from golf and food and beverage at about $650,000 and said they expected the city could grow that revenue with more marketing and operational capacity. Staff estimated the site’s assets could be worth multiple millions of dollars and characterized the deal as assuming $406,000 of liabilities for a substantially larger asset, while acknowledging the property requires capital investment.

The council also approved a motion authorizing staff to submit an application to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for a Series 5 license for Chaparral facilities; the city clerk will post the required notice and the item will return to council as required by state process.

Votes: Resolution approving acquisition passed 7‑0; motion to file liquor license application passed 7‑0.