Bullhead City Council Meeting — 2026-11-02: General Plan, Land Exchange, Water Sale

This summary uses the supplied meeting date of 2026-11-02 12:30 UTC. The transcript's opening identifies the regular council meeting as Tuesday, October 20th, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., so the source contains a date discrepancy. The meeting included a lengthy call to the public, a major General Plan amendment hearing that was postponed, routine zoning and utility actions, a BLM land exchange, and approval to auction two out-of-city water systems.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda as presented, 6-0.
• Waived full reading of ordinances and resolutions, 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During call to the public, Penny Reisner asked for help with a stray cat and reported stagnant water and mosquitoes at Chaparral and Via O'Reilly; she said the runoff area still held about three feet of water after pumping. Carol Nelson announced a Colorado River Republican Women meeting on November 4. Ruby Miller asked whether the city would be reimbursed for costs from the October 14 midterm rally and whether city employees were required to attend. Sean Regan raised concerns about a proposed Veterans Resource Center involving 2.33 acres of city land and a public records request that took a month and produced 64 pages he said were nonresponsive. Scotty criticized the 30-minute limit and handicapped access at the airport rally. Harvey Pryor announced an RC drag-racing event and raised code enforcement and water-allocation questions. Kenneth Mays raised traffic-safety concerns. Paula Fontes Hambi discussed C-SPAN comments on ICE at polling places and election security; Steve Pittman expressed support for ICE, the U.S. military, and local law enforcement. Julie Hassett announced the Colorado River Concerts season. Kurt Borgers criticized a restroom setup and said the council works for residents. Misty DeVinny raised concerns about groundwater withdrawals for Mojave Energy Park and enforceable limits.
• At the Item 5 hearing, most speakers opposed the 4,400-acre General Plan amendment. William Kohlhauer, a Fox Creek resident and union pipe fitter, said industrial development would ruin the desert, traffic, and quiet. Marcy Herrera of Laughlin Ranch presented petitions: 862 change.org signatures as of 4:30 p.m. and 661 handwritten signatures; she said she is not opposed to data centers generally but does not want one in her backyard. Harvey Pryor asked for a map and the size of any data center and alleged a connection to Clean Spark. Cynthia Lavalle and Cliff Hellwig cited construction traffic, noise, and public-safety concerns on Laughlin Ranch Boulevard and Bullhead Parkway. Laurie Barker, Penny Reisner, Kelly Geis, Misty DeVinny, and Scotty also opposed or criticized the proposal, citing water, transparency, process, wildlife, and property rights. One speaker, Brent, criticized the council and linked elections to data-center policy but did not present a clear project position.
• On later items, Misty DeVinny asked about water allocation for Marble Canyon, maintenance scheduling for wastewater filters, why the land-exchange agenda item lacked detail, and water rights in the proposed water-system sale. Harvey Pryor asked whether water-system sale proceeds would go to utilities or the general fund. Scotty and another speaker asked about appraisals, customer consent, and service outside city limits.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 — General Plan amendment (4,400 acres): A public hearing was held on a major amendment to the Bullhead City General Plan affecting approximately 4,400 acres south of Laughlin Ranch, north of Fox Creek, and east of Bullhead Parkway. The request would reduce residential uses and add about 2,600 acres of light industrial. Planning Manager Johnny Laura said a General Plan amendment does not convey zoning and would be followed by a PAD overlay process with public hearings. The Planning Commission discussed the request on September 17 and October 8; a motion to approve failed on October 8. City Manager Toby Cotter said he believes a local data-center ordinance should be adopted before data centers are considered. Applicant representative Shelby requested postponement to December 1 and proposed two open houses. Council moved the October 29 hearing/action date to December 1, 2026, 6-0. Public comment was then taken; no action was taken on the amendment itself. Applicant Shelby said an independent engineer calculated a reduction of 1.9 billion gallons, or 54%, compared with the current approved plan. Councilmember Newland said he does not automatically support or oppose data centers, supports strong regulation, and opposes an outright ban because development could move outside city limits. Other council members said many questions remain, including water use, closed-loop versus water cooling, electricity, and health claims; the City Manager said the postponement does not change Proposition 419.
• Item 6 — Pier 95 RV park zoning: Approved Ordinance 2026-19, changing 3.65 acres at 1621 Highway 95 from C2 General Commercial to RP Residential Park. Staff said the RV park has operated as a legal nonconforming use; the change would conform zoning and allow improvements, with spaces potentially increasing from about 35 to 65. Planning Commission recommended approval. Approved 6-0.
• Item 7 — Marble Canyon final plat extension: Approved Ordinance 2026-20, extending the final plat for the first phase of Marble Canyon, a 108-acre, 404-lot single-family subdivision, but reduced the extension from four years to two years. The project was originally approved in 2006 and had received six extensions. Staff said the applicant is working with a new civil engineer and a potential home builder. Approved 5-1.
• Item 8 — Wastewater cloth filter media: Approved the $111,020.42 purchase and installation of cloth filter media from Aqua Aerobic for the Section 10 wastewater plant, authorized a sole-source purchase, and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement. Staff said 144 units are needed for two tertiary cloth filters; replacement is recommended every five years but had been over 10 years. Approved 6-0.
• Item 9 — SR 95 pedestrian push-button grant: Approved Resolution 2026 R-42 authorizing an application for FY2026 state special projects grant funds for 88 ADA pedestrian push-button upgrades at 14 intersections along State Route 95. Approved 6-0.
• Item 10 — BLM land exchange: Approved the binding land exchange agreement with the Bureau of Land Management and authorized execution of conveyance and escrow documents. Staff said Don Laughlin donated 1,100-plus acres and a house/bunker in 2015; the city would receive less than an acre off Laughlin Ranch Boulevard in Community Park. A public speaker described the exchange as 1,140 acres for 0.90 acre, 0.79 usable, and questioned the valuation; the City Manager said the backup documentation is online and that the federal land is near Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Approved 6-0.
• Item 11 — Camp Mojave and Rio Vista water systems: Approved a minimum bid of $2,300,000 for the sale of the Camp Mojave and Rio Vista water system assets and directed the City Manager to establish a public solicitation and auction. Staff said the assets came from the EPCOR purchase, are outside city limits, and do not include water rights; Camp Mojave includes a well, storage, treatment, and distribution, while Rio Vista is mainly distribution and buys water from Bermuda. Staff said the REO committee approved the minimum, comparables included a Nexus/American Water sale, and any private buyer would need Arizona Corporation Commission approval. A speaker said the depreciated value was about $3.645 million and asked why the floor was $2.3 million; staff said no formal appraisal was done and the price reflects comparable sales. Approved 6-0.

Manager and Council Reports

• City Manager Toby Cotter reported on the presidential visit at Laughlin Bullhead International Airport: about 5,700 people attended, the city did not plan or transport the event, no city employees were required to attend, and limited city expenses would be coded and billed to appropriate parties. He also reported flood cleanup and upcoming events. Council members encouraged early voting at the library and noted Election Day on November 3. One council member defended the council's accessibility and offered to answer questions outside; others said they are still studying data centers and water issues.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda and reading waiver approved 6-0.
• Item 5 General Plan amendment hearing/action moved from October 29 to December 1, 2026, 6-0; no action on the amendment itself; applicant to hold open houses.
• Item 6 zoning change approved 6-0.
• Item 7 Marble Canyon extension approved 5-1, with a two-year rather than four-year extension.
• Item 8 wastewater filter purchase approved 6-0.
• Item 9 grant application authorized 6-0.
• Item 10 BLM land exchange approved 6-0.
• Item 11 water-system sale minimum bid and auction approved 6-0.
• City staff said rally expenses would be reviewed and billed; several public questions, including water allocation and data-center details, remained pending for the December hearing.