Bullhead City staff outline multi‑year water, wastewater rate increases and a low‑income discount plan

Bullhead City staff presented a proposal on June 3 to raise water and wastewater rates in a three‑year phased plan and to revive and expand customer assistance discounts for low‑income and veteran households.

City staff said the water enterprise is operating at a multi‑million dollar annual shortfall and that infrastructure needs and supply‑chain pressures — including rising material and energy costs — require rate increases alongside targeted customer assistance.

Eddie (presentation lead) summarized external market pressures and supply chain impacts, including increased material costs and tariffs that staff said have driven up project estimates. Utilities Director Mark Clark told the council the city has spent roughly $9.7 million improving the water system since it took operational responsibility from the previous private operator and that enterprise revenues must cover operations, debt, and capital improvements.

Mark Clark said the recommended schedule is a 19% water rate increase in year one, followed by 14% and 14% in the next two years; staff modeled that trajectory to move the fund toward…