Lake Havasu City Council adopts FY26 tax levies, approves public‑safety and infrastructure purchases and awards construction contracts
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Summary
The Lake Havasu City Council on July 8 adopted the FY26 property tax levy and approved a slate of budgeted capital purchases and construction awards, including radios, medical equipment, drainage stabilization and wastewater system repairs.
Lake Havasu City Council on July 8 approved several budget‑level and capital actions tied to the new fiscal year and ongoing public‑safety and infrastructure programs.
Budget and taxes: Finance staff presented the final FY26 budget items. The council adopted the city property tax levy at a rate presented in the public hearing (0.6718 per $100 of assessed value) and approved the London Bridge Plaza Improvement District levy; both measures passed unanimously (7–0). Staff said assessed‑valuation growth accounted for a revenue increase of roughly $430,000, of which new construction contributed approximately $116,000 according to the finance presentation.
Education and workforce: Council adopted Resolution No. 25‑3848 (7–0) to approve a memorandum of understanding with Lake Havasu Unified School District No. 1 to expand Career and Technical Education at Lake Havasu High School by adding an Emergency Medical Services program. The two‑year MOU (2025–2027) will offer Emergency Medical Response and EMT‑Basic curriculum to juniors and seniors; staff said 11 students were already enrolled for the program start on July 31.
Public safety equipment and contracts: The council ratified a June 27 notice to proceed and approved the purchase of 125 Motorola APX Next handheld radios and five years of subscription services under the Arizona State contract. City staff said funding for the first year (hardware and first‑year subscription) is included in the FY26 police budget (approximately $1,274,453.64 plus taxes) and that subscription costs for years two through five will be requested in future budgets; staff estimated annual subscription costs around $60,000.
The council also approved budgeted purchases for fire and EMS: two Lifepak 15 monitors and one PowerPro‑2 powered ambulance cot from Stryker Sales LLC (total purchase approximately $108,449.27, less trade‑in credits). Staff said the cot reduces lifting risk for responders and that the Lifepak monitors are standard lifesaving equipment on ambulances.
Infrastructure awards and amendments: Council approved Amendment No. 1 to the engineering services agreement with Tank Industry Consultants Inc. ($64,185) to add piping, cathodic protection and electrical/instrumentation design for a proposed 750,000‑gallon North Havasu reservoir tank; the amendment anticipates a design completion in November 2025.
Council awarded the Kiowa Drain No. 3 stabilization project to Groundwater Partners Inc. (low bid base+force account approximately $1,000,002.98) from flood control funds. Staff described trapezoidal channel work, riprap and energy dissipation measures to reduce scour and erosion in a high‑velocity wash corridor.
The council also awarded a contract to Schofield Civil Construction LLC for Port Drive and Queens Bay lift station upgrades ($533,600) to restore coatings and reliability at two wastewater lift stations, and awarded TR Orr Inc. the Mulberry Treatment Plant headworks roof replacement contract at $152,000. All three construction awards passed 7–0.
Consent and procedural items: The council approved the consent agenda (7–0) and heard the city manager’s report, including notices of board vacancies and public workshops for the general plan update.
Vote summary (selected items): • Resolution 25‑3848 (CTE EMS MOU) — motion passed 7–0; mover: Council member Koch; second: Council member Moses. • Property tax levy (FY26) — motion passed 7–0; mover: Council member David Diaz; second: Council member Jim Dolan. • Resolution 25‑3857 (London Bridge Plaza improvement district levy) — motion passed 7–0; mover: Council member Dolan; second: Council member Campbell. • Resolution 25‑3855 (Anita Ave minor general plan amendment) — motion passed 6–1; mover: Council member Dolan; second: Council member Koch. • Ordinance 25‑1364 (Anita Ave rezoning to R‑3) — motion passed 6–1; mover: Council member Dolan; second: Council member Moses. • Motorola APX Next radios purchase and ratification — motion passed 7–0; mover: Council member Diaz; second: Council member Campbell; first‑year funding in FY26 budget: ~$1,274,453.64 (plus taxes); total budgeted authorization: up to $1,480,000. • Stryker Lifepak units and PowerPro cot purchase — motion passed 7–0; mover: Council member Koch; second: Council member Dolan; purchase ~$108,449.27 (offset by trade‑in credits). • Amendment No. 1 with Tank Industry Consultants (design) — approved 7–0; amount $64,185. • Kiowa Drain No.3 stabilization award (Groundwater Partners Inc.) — approved 7–0; low bid (base+force) ~$1,000,002.98. • Port Drive and Queens Bay lift station upgrades (Schofield Civil Construction LLC) — approved 7–0; $533,600. • Mulberry Treatment Plant roof replacement (TR Orr Inc.) — approved 7–0; $152,000.
The council also took public comment on parks shade structures, disability access and e‑bikes during the call to the public. Several agenda items, including the CTE MOU and large capital purchases, were presented as budgeted items for FY26; future subscription and operating costs were noted for inclusion in subsequent fiscal‑year budget requests where applicable.
