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Lake Havasu Council approves $60,000-per-year services agreement with The Closed Closet to support treatment-court participants
Summary
After a multi-hour public hearing, the council approved a professional services agreement with The Closed Closet to provide wraparound services for building‑bridges treatment‑court participants and police referrals; the first year is prorated and $25,000 in contingency funds was authorized for FY2025–26.
Lake Havasu City council members on Tuesday approved a professional services agreement with The Closed Closet to provide community resource and support services to participants in the city’s building‑bridges treatment court and to individuals referred by police.
Judge Colley, who described the court as “an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff,” told the council the intent is to connect people entering the legal system with services that reduce recidivism. He said the program builds on principles used in the veterans treatment court and that timely access to services—rather than waiting months—improves outcomes.
Christine, speaking for The Closed Closet, described the nonprofit’s growth since 2009 and said the organization now logs client visits, provides showers and laundry, and coordinates more than 40 partner resources. She said the group has seen hundreds of clients in recent months and is expanding operations to serve treatment‑court referrals on scheduled days.
Under the agreement described to council, The Closed Closet would receive $60,000 per year for services; the first year is prorated, with staff estimating roughly $25,000–$30,000 remaining this fiscal year to align payments with the city budget cycle. Quarterly reports will be required and payments will be conditioned on annual reporting and the ability of council to request additional information.
Council members pressed for accountability and tracking. Councilmember Cameron Moses and others emphasized the need for clear performance metrics—who was served, the services provided and measurable outcomes—before tax dollars are committed at scale. Judge Colley and The Closed Closet said quarterly reports will include counts of people served, types of services and follow‑up outcomes, and staff noted the city can revisit the agreement if adjustments are needed.
Several residents and partner agencies spoke during the public hearing in support of the agreement. Kimberly Zannen, a local court treatment coordinator, said The Closed Closet takes on mandated community service work and case referrals; representatives from Arizona Youth Partnership and Arizona@Work described frequent coordination with the nonprofit and urged approval.
Vice Mayor David Diaz moved to approve the services agreement, authorize use of contingency funds of $25,000 for fiscal year 2025–26, and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. The motion carried with six council members voting aye; Councilmember Michelle Lynn recused herself from the matter.
The agreement is structured as a contract for services rather than a donation, and staff said it includes termination provisions and quarterly reporting to the court and council. Council members asked staff to return as needed with performance data and potential adjustments in future budget cycles.
