Bullhead City Council appoints Pamela Smith to complete D'Amico term after interviewing 10 candidates

Bullhead City Council on July 8 appointed Pamela (Pam) Smith to fill the vacant council seat left when Steve D'Amico resigned. The council used a paper-ballot process described by staff and the city attorney; after ballots were read and a motion to appoint was made, the council voted 6–0 and the clerk said Smith will be sworn in at the July 15 meeting.

The appointment concluded a day of five-minute presentations from 10 applicants for the single opening. Smith, a seven-year resident who has served on planning and zoning and who described herself as active in local volunteer organizations, told the council she would focus on public safety, water infrastructure and economic development. "I stand for questions and ask for your vote to be appointed to city council," Smith said during her remarks.

Council members read the first round of paper ballots aloud. The clerk announced that Councilmember Head, Councilmember Dolman, Vice Mayor Alfonso, Councilmember Newland and Councilmember O'Neil had voted for Pamela Smith and that Councilmember Ring had voted for another candidate; that first count gave Smith five votes. Council proceeded to a motion and formal vote, and the motion to appoint Smith passed unanimously in the recorded vote.

Throughout the interview process the candidates emphasized recurring themes facing Bullhead City. Water and the recent municipal takeover of the local water utility emerged repeatedly: several applicants said upgrades and maintenance justify careful budgeting and, if necessary, modest rate increases to sustain service. "Raising the rates is just part of that," Ellen Brown, who has worked for Mojave Electric and serves on the Fire District board, said when asked about the city's water responsibilities.

Traffic and transportation were also frequent concerns. Several candidates praised recent right-turn lanes and urged better synchronization of traffic signals; multiple applicants said roundabouts would be difficult for older residents. Public safety, including police staffing and responses to homelessness and substance use, was cited by several applicants as a top priority.

Candidates proposed a range of other priorities. Beau Hellens, CEO of the local chamber, advocated for more lifeguards and youth water-safety programs and stressed coordinated tourism messaging. Jacqueline Miller highlighted parks and the need for a full-time veterinarian at the city’s animal shelter. Stephen Brown, director of the Bullhead Regional Food Bank, urged continued support for food-security programs.

City staff reminded council members of the city's appointment policy and voting procedure at the start of the meeting. After the appointment vote, the clerk said Pamela Smith will be sworn in on July 15 and that, with a seven-member council restored, the council will then select a mayor and vice mayor from among its members.

The appointment closes the immediate vacancy; the one-year appointment-holder may choose to run for a full four-year term in the next regular election, and several applicants said they intend to run if not selected now.