Bullhead City holds public hearing on comprehensive fee schedule; staff outlines targeted changes

Bullhead City officials opened a public hearing May 20 on Resolution 2025R‑25, the city manager’s proposed comprehensive fee schedule for fiscal year 2025–26, and staff outlined several targeted changes while saying most fees remain unchanged.

City staff described a set of limited updates that include a $1,000 fee for private events at the Olivia McCormick Pavilion, a new schedule for charges to recover costs when third parties damage the city’s water lines, adjustments to municipal court prosecution/recovery fees, an annual community-park pass of $35 for residents of neighboring jurisdictions (reduced from $50), and a $25 charge for printed budget books. Staff also told council that the city will discontinue charging private rentals for the council chambers and certain conference rooms now that the new senior/enrichment center and other local venues are available.

The proposal drew limited public comment on the fee changes. Janice Johnston asked whether the council chambers and conference rooms would remain available for nonprofit or municipal uses; City Manager Cotter and staff said municipal uses would be prioritized and staff would work with nonprofit groups on case-by-case arrangements. Recreation Director Dave Heath told council that nonprofit park use already is being waived in many instances.

Council obtained additional clarifications from staff during the hearing. Assistant City Manager Eddie Kajaro described the $1,000 pavilion charge as specific to private events at the Olivia McCormick Pavilion; additional staffing or cleanup needs for an event would result in extra charges. Kajaro said staff updated municipal-court recovery fees and listed two updated amounts ($2.75 and $125) as presented, and he said the city adjusted the neighboring-area annual community park pass from $50 to $35 to address public complaints. Kajaro also told council staff recommended that the warrant fee and the order-to-show-cause fee be considered for an increase from $50 to $75; he and the city manager said that any such increase would require a separate public-notice period (60 days) before adoption.

The hearing record shows a motion to approve the fee schedule was made during the meeting. The provided transcript does not include a recorded roll-call or final tally for that motion; a separate waiver motion earlier in the meeting to read ordinances and resolutions passed 7–0. Staff said that, if adopted, the updated fees would take effect July 1.

The council did not adopt any additional, substantive fee policy changes during the hearing. Staff emphasized the limited scope of changes and said the updates aim primarily to recover specific costs (for example, damage to water infrastructure or added event staffing), not to broadly raise user charges.

Next steps: staff indicated they will return any changes that require statutorily prescribed notice (for example, the proposed increase to warrant/OSC fees) after completing the required public-notice process. The council did not provide any formal direction in the transcript beyond asking staff to proceed with the next steps identified.