Bullhead City seeks public input on 2026 general plan update

Mackenzie Covert, the city’s public information officer, and Johnny Louera, the city’s planning manager, outlined Bullhead City’s update to its general plan and urged broad public participation. Louera said the general plan is the “road map for the development of the city” and that it is updated every 10 years to reflect changes in water, roads, parks and land use.

Louera described the structure of the draft: each major section includes goals, objectives and policy language the public can review and comment on. Staff will compile public input, update the draft and seek Planning & Zoning recommendations before asking the City Council to approve a version that could go to voters. "The general plan is basically the road map for the development of the city for growth," Louera said.

Covert walked through participation options and a schedule of meetings and hearings. She told residents they can submit comments via the city website, attend public meetings or complete an online form; she noted upcoming meetings at Planning & Zoning and the Transit Commission and said the council is scheduled to consider the plan on June 16 before a voter decision in November. "If you are interested in the general plan, you wanna get your feedback, you heard it here, go to the website, bullheadcityaz.gov/generalplanupdate," Covert said.

Why this matters: the general plan guides zoning and long-range decisions that affect development, water systems, park investments and transportation. Staff asked residents to review goals and suggest priorities — for example, whether the plan should emphasize water quality, traffic mitigation, or expanded parks and youth activities — so policies reflect community priorities before the document is finalized for voter consideration.