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Bullhead City presents balanced FY2025–26 budget, keeps contingency and taps reserves for one‑time capital
Summary
City staff proposed a balanced FY2025–26 budget that uses limited one‑time reserves for capital projects, holds a substantial contingency and keeps core services level while adding targeted staffing and capital investments.
Bullhead City officials on May 9 presented a balanced fiscal year 2025–26 budget that combines continued operating stability with one‑time spending on capital projects. City Manager Cutter told the council the plan preserves core services while using reserve funds for projects the council has prioritized, including a new animal shelter and infrastructure work.
Finance Director Mr. Drexler outlined the city’s revenue picture and constraints, saying the state‑set expenditure limit rises to about $183 million this year and that the city is projecting general fund reserves of more than $41.6 million at year‑end. The budget relies on 0‑based review of department requests, a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees and $15 million programmed for competitive grant pursuits.
The proposal includes modest additions to staffing in several departments, a continued focus on public safety and one‑time capital purchases (streets equipment, park improvements, sewer/water system projects and completion costs on the new animal shelter). "So we're presenting a balanced budget," City Manager Cutter said, framing capital draws as one‑time uses of reserves rather than recurring obligations.
City leaders recommended retaining a stronger contingency ($3.4 million rather than $2 million) to protect against mid‑year shocks and grant shortfalls. Finance staff noted the city ended the current fiscal year with an estimated surplus of roughly $4.9 million and added about $10 million to reserves over two years, giving the council room to fund strategic one‑time investments without reducing the reserve cushion.
What’s next: after any changes from this workshop, staff will bring a tentative budget to the June 3 council meeting and a public hearing and final adoption are scheduled for the June 17 meeting.
