Kingman City Council adopts FY 2026–27 budget; agrees to short-term funding to preserve Yellow Line transit route

At a Kingman City Council meeting, members approved a resolution to adopt the fiscal year 2026–27 final budget and agreed to bridge a short-term funding gap so the city's Yellow Line transit route can operate through the upcoming fiscal year.

The council began the hearing by noting the city cannot increase appropriations above the tentative budget cap of $343,488,124 and then heard a staff recap of changes, including adjustments to public safety step plans, employee compensation, and cuts to capital projects across the five-year capital improvement plan. "We are in the final step of our budget adoption process," Ms. Molina, the city's finance director, told the council, adding that while appropriations cannot be increased above the tentative budget figure, contingency could be used for one-time needs.

City Manager Walsh summarized staff outreach to transit stakeholders related to the Yellow Line, saying county leaders and local partners had signaled financial support but formal approvals were still required. "We are up to $55,000 in committed contributions," Walsh said, and staff had realized roughly $50,000 in internal savings during finalization. Together, Walsh said, those amounts should allow the Yellow Line to continue "at least through this fiscal year" while staff studies longer-term options, including route consolidation and an on-demand model.

Public commenters urged the council to preserve the route. "The decision before you is not simply about a bus route," Stephanie Williams said as she presented a petition she said had about 732 signatures and 21 letters from people affected. Williams framed the route as a lifeline for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and people in recovery.

Don Martin, Mohave County District 4 supervisor, told the council Mohave County would contribute $30,000 to the Yellow Line fund and urged the city to keep the route open. "We are going to step up and we will contribute $30,000," Martin said.

Ms. Molina responded to questions about contingency and timing: while partner commitments require governing-body approvals, she said the city could "survive one year" if it needed to cover a remaining shortfall (staff estimated approximately $15,000–$20,000 as a potential gap depending on finalized partner contributions). She also said county representatives indicated the county's support was intended to be recurring, though staff would confirm frequency and terms with each partner.

Council members pressed staff for additional revenue actions and performance data. Council member Savage noted the transit system costs the city about $1 million per year while fare revenue is roughly $120,000, and suggested options including a fare increase, schedule consolidation, targeted marketing, and a more aggressive approach to soliciting advertisers. Staff reported an RFP for a third-party transit advertising vendor received zero responses earlier this year, and Council asked staff to market advertising opportunities on the city's social channels and pursue targeted outreach.

A council member moved to approve the resolution to adopt the final budget (motion language recorded as "approve resolution number 56-18") and a second was recorded. When the mayor asked those in favor to signify by saying "I," multiple members vocalized in the affirmative; the transcript also records a vocal response when asked if any opposed. The record does not include a clear roll-call tally, but the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item and then adjourned.

The council directed staff to return with a shorter-term timeline for transit efficiency analysis and updated ridership data, with staff proposing a three-month update cadence while they pursue partner agreements, sponsor commitments and marketing efforts.