Bullhead City council approves budget amendments, utility purchases and three wastewater clarifier contracts

Bullhead City Council on April 15 approved a package of budget adjustments and several public-works contracts intended to improve water and wastewater system reliability and public-safety infrastructure.

The council unanimously approved budget amendments to carry forward previously authorized projects and cover cost overruns, and approved a set of vendor purchases and contracts for utility work, including a $82,381 purchase of Hydro Stop valve insertion equipment, an odor- and corrosion-control program, and three Westech clarifier rehabilitation contracts totaling up to $2,286,734 across the three clarifiers. The council also recommended approval of a restaurant liquor license and accepted an intergovernmental agreement for Mohave County flood-control funding. Each motion passed by recorded voice vote as "7 in favor; motion carries."

Why it matters: the adopted items provide funding and authority to complete capital and maintenance work the city says is necessary to reduce emergency shutoffs, address sewer odors, and replace aging treatment-plant equipment.

Budget amendment (Item 3) The council approved a motion to authorize budget amendments from the General Fund General Services Contingency to applicable departments and funds to complete previously approved projects and cover identified overages. City staff said most transfers were technical and tied to earlier Council direction, but highlighted a few substantive items such as a grease-trap replacement at the senior center and a $200,000 project to provide ADA access from the Community Park parking area down to the river. The motion passed 7-0.

Liquor license recommendation (Item 4) The council voted 7-0 to recommend that the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control approve an interim permit and Series 12 (restaurant) liquor license application for French Connection Restaurant and Bar at 2245 Clearwater Drive. Kitty Rain, the applicant, spoke to the council and said she was "excited to open the French Connection" and thanked city staff for assistance. The vote on the council motion to approve the item was 7-0.

Mohave County flood-control intergovernmental agreement (Item 5) Council adopted Resolution 2025-R-13 and approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Mohave County Flood Control District for distribution and use of flood-control funds during fiscal year 2025–26. Staff described the program as an annual allocation collected on county tax bills and remitted to cities; the county retains a portion for projects outside city limits. The motion passed 7-0.

Hydro Stop valve insertion equipment purchase (Item 6) Council approved the purchase of Hydro Stop Insta-valve equipment, parts and training in the amount of $82,381 plus applicable taxes. Utilities Director Mark Clark said the tool lets crews install valves while lines remain live, avoiding large shutdowns and bypass pumping. He said the initial kit includes a small number of valves and consumables and that additional valve components will be purchased as the city's valve-replacement program proceeds. The motion passed 7-0.

Odor and corrosion control program (Item 7) Council approved a full-service odor and corrosion control program with Equivalve Technologies LLC not to exceed $80,154.02, and additional bioxide chemical purchases for Lift Station 16-2 not to exceed $161,101; staff characterized the work as ongoing operations to reduce odors and corrosion at multiple lift stations. The motion passed 7-0.

Section 10 wastewater clarifier rehabilitations (Items 8–10) Council approved three separate agreements with Westech to rehabilitate clarifiers at the Section 10 Wastewater Treatment Plant: clarifier No. 1 (rehabilitation; installed price not to exceed $753,784), clarifier No. 2 (not to exceed $751,795), and clarifier No. 3 (new clarifier components and installation; not to exceed $781,155). Staff explained the work will be phased so the plant can remain in service while equipment is replaced and new clarifier capacity is built. Mark Clark said the procurements include an installed price and on-site training; each agreement carries a council approval and a waiver of competitive bidding per Bullhead City Municipal Code because of vendor compatibility and delivery timelines. Each motion passed 7-0.

Council voting and next steps Most motions were moved and seconded on the floor; the meeting record shows the council approved each item without roll-call name-level vote tallies beyond the announced result of "7 in favor." Staff said Westech fabrication will take several months and that the city anticipates staged installation to avoid plant outages. The city will return to Council with implementation details and any required budget reports in upcoming budget workshops.

Ending All formal actions on the consent and regular agenda were approved by 7-0 votes; staff said several procurements will require multi-month schedules for manufacturing and installation. The council also set its budget workshop for May 8, when additional funding details will be discussed.