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

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.