Council adds $20,000 to River Fund transportation grant after debate over accountability

Bullhead City Council on Feb. 4 approved an amendment to the River Fund Transportation Assistance Grant providing an additional $20,000 and authorized a transfer from contingency to fund the amendment. The council vote was 6-1 in favor.

Human Services Director Jeff Tipton told council the River Fund had been allocated $50,000 in the prior budget year but had exhausted those funds because of high demand; the $20,000 bridge is intended to cover transportation and short-term assistance for homeless individuals until the new fiscal-year budget takes effect. Tipton said recent quarterly reports showed 202 total encounters in the last three quarters, including 57 bus trips out of the area, 26 temporary shelter nights and 46 requests for gasoline or minor repairs.

During public comment several residents raised concerns about accountability and eligibility. John Reed said he had repeatedly sought services for his veteran father and said River Fund staff denied assistance in the past, asserting the agency used outdated federal poverty guidelines. Another speaker asked whether the city audits River Fund records; Mayor and staff said audited records can be provided to council and that the funds under consideration were specifically for transportation assistance to help homeless individuals leave the community.

River Fund CEO Mike Connor described a range of services the nonprofit provides and said the organization assists people who arrive in Bullhead City with limited resources, citing examples such as families stranded with vehicle problems. Connor said program rules sometimes require ID or prohibit transporting animals, which can complicate exits.

A council member moved to approve the $20,000 amendment; the motion passed 6-1. After the vote, staff agreed to provide a year-end report on the use of the specific program funds so council and the public can see how the transportation-assistance dollars were spent.