Tri-City Council Meeting - April 27, 2026

The Tri-City Council, comprising representatives from Bullhead City, Kingman, and Lake Havasu City, convened on April 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included updates from Mojave County officials, introductions of state legislative candidates, a legislative update from the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) update, and a discussion on submitting a letter of support regarding local control and unfunded mandates. The meeting concluded with mayor updates from each city.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the January 21, 2026 Tri-City Council meeting were approved unanimously on a motion by Mayor Watkins (Kingman), seconded by Mayor Dalman (Bullhead City). All members voted aye.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the council. The call to the public was opened and closed with no speakers.

Discussion Items

• Updates from Mojave County Board of Supervisors and Other Elected Officials:

  • Chairman Travis Lingenfelder (District 1) reported on the water situation: a court ruling in Maricopa County in January 2026 vacated an Irrigation Non-Expansion Area (INA) designation for the Walleye Basin, but the decision has been appealed. Kingman and Mojave County filed an amicus brief to support keeping the protection in place. He also noted concerns about Lake Powell possibly dropping below minimum power pool by August and the need to purchase power on the open market.
  • Supervisor Rich Lutnett (District 2) reported progress on flood control funding framework, a new county industrial authority to finance infrastructure (including the Laughlin Bullhead International Airport), and the reconstitution of the Mojave County Airport Authority board with two Bullhead City members and two county members. He also mentioned the Arizona Commerce Authority's Opportunity Zone 2.0 program, with Mojave County eligible to nominate five of 21 qualifying census tracts. The deadline for recommendations to the ACA is early June.
  • Assessor Jeannie Kench announced the passage of Senate Bill 1479 (deed fraud bill), which includes seven safeguards: ID required for recording, mandatory address protection programs, fines of at least $5,000, actual damages of $1,000, felony classification for knowing fraud, notary thumbprints for deeds, and stricter remote notarization rules (seven-year video retention, ID requirements). The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.
  • Treasurer Sue Ann Mellow reported that the 2026 tax deed sale sold 803 of 809 properties, generating $2.4 million for the county. She reminded that second-half property taxes are due by May 1, 2026.

• State Legislature Candidate Introductions (LD 30):

  • Four candidates for the Arizona House of Representatives introduced themselves for approximately 30 seconds each:
    • Mike Nucio: 26-year resident, former deputy sheriff, rancher, former president of Arizona Cattle Growers Association; emphasized support for ranchers and state budget experience.
    • Grace Hecht: Born and raised in Mojave County, former Bullhead City Council member, degree in political science from GCU, co-owner of Mojave Environmental Labs, former teacher, pro-school choice, started nonprofit "Make Bullhead Better." Endorsed by Senator Hilda Angus and Supervisor Holly Irwin.
    • Catherine Lopez Rajanini: Nearly 50-year resident, small business owner, 10-year member of Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce, 10-year member of Fort Mojave Mesa Fire Board, independent insurance agent, co-founder of Academy of Building Industries (trade school), Rotarian, 4-H volunteer; emphasized water issues, emergency services, tourism, and education.
    • David Rose: President of Lake Havasu Unified School District Governing Board (elected 2024), discovered $26 million in unreported funds, used for teacher raises (starting pay from $30k to $50k), banned harsh chemicals in school lunches, pro-ESA but supports strengthening public education, endorsed by Representative John Gillette, focus on election integrity and local control.
  • No questions were asked by council members.

• Legislative Update from Renee Guyan, League of Arizona Cities and Towns:

  • HCR 2016 (tax/rate/fee moratorium) stalled in the Senate due to lack of votes. The bill would have required a 60% voter approval for any new tax, fee, or utility rate increase for four years. Renee noted strong opposition from local governments and that Senator Hilda Angus was a key ally.
  • Short-term rental (STR) legislation: A compromise bill with Airbnb support passed the House but was not agendized in the Senate in the last week for bills. The bill targeted bad actors but did not include density or caps.
  • Housing: No major preemption bills advanced. SB 1431 stalled due to opposition from Maricopa County Republican precinct committee members.
  • State budget: The Finance Advisory Committee revised available resources down from $577 million to $378 million. The governor imposed a bill moratorium until the legislature presents a budget. Rumored GOP proposal: last year's budget with a 5% cut to state agencies (except education and public safety) to fund tax conformity. Renee noted that shared revenue to cities and counties is not expected to be cut, which she called a major win.
  • 911 funding: A 35% shortfall in capital grants for PSAPs exists due to a fixed $0.20 monthly fee per account (not per device). A stopgap appropriation is being discussed; long-term fix needed.
  • 2030 Census: The U.S. Census Bureau reduced test sites from six to two, both in southern metropolitan areas. Arizona lost a testing site for tribal lands/rural areas. Renee urged pressure on Congress to restore testing sites to ensure accurate count, which affects federal funding (e.g., transportation, DES, ACCESS). Councilmember Campbell noted that Arizona loses about $300 million annually in transportation funding due to outdated census-based allocations.

• Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Update (via teleconference, audio quality issues):

  • Mr. Steinberger reported on I-40 and US 93 projects, including pavement work, bridge work, and fiber optic broadband from California border to I-40. Specific projects: I-40 Rancho Santa Fe Parkway interchange (now Flying Fortress Parkway) completion in late fall 2026; US 93 widening north of Wikieup; I-40 at Silver Springs Road; pavement projects on I-40 from Lake Havasu to mile 33 (FY 28, $35M); US 93 south of I-40 pavement project (FY 28, $1M); and city of Kingman improvements. In response to a question, he confirmed I-40 bridge at exit 9 on Highway 95 is slated for FY 27 third quarter (around January 2027).

• Mojave County Water Authority Update: No representative present; item passed without action.

• Discussion and Possible Action on Letter of Support for Local Control and Unfunded Mandates:

  • Mayor Watkins (Kingman) moved to submit a letter to the legislative delegation emphasizing the importance of local control and opposing unfunded mandates. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Mayor Updates

• Bullhead City (Mayor Karen Dalman): Largest Circle K in the nation opened; new police chief (Paul George Jr.) starts May 4; new animal shelter (city-funded) opening soon; mayhem motorcycle rally had good attendance with one fatal accident; community garden open; Highway 95 turn lanes near Safeway completed; Olive Garden final plat approved; 75th annual Burro Barbecue on Saturday April 29 at Community Park.
• Kingman (Mayor Ken Watkins): Flying Fortress Parkway (formerly Rancho Santa Fe) interchange nearing completion by end of August, with connector road to Airway by end of September; this is the fourth I-40 interchange in Kingman. West Kingman TI (I-40 to Highway 93) will improve safety for Phoenix-Las Vegas traffic. Kingman Crossing interchange RFP to be issued soon (city owns 180 acres, hospital 160). First Friday and Route 66 Fun Run this Friday with record car entrants. Thanked citizens and nonprofits for service.
• Lake Havasu City (Vice Mayor David Diaz): America 250 traveling museum (Liberty Bell) visited; Desert Storm event had record numbers; citizen survey being reviewed at council meeting; second bridge design at 60% with $35.5M state appropriation (land transfer delays with AZ State Parks possible); Main Street Commons (downtown gathering place) nearly complete; Pacana Boulevard repaving approved (highway to highway); second Havasu Residency Academy graduated 8-week course; synchronization of traffic lights on Highway 95 and interior roads moving forward with council consideration; budget process underway with CIP and operating discussions.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes from January 21, 2026 meeting (unanimous).
• Approved: Motion to submit a letter of support for local control and unfunded mandates to the legislative delegation (unanimous).
• No Action Taken: Mojave County Water Authority update (speaker absent).
• Next Steps: The letter will be drafted and sent; further budget negotiations at state level anticipated; cities continue infrastructure projects and budget preparations.