2026 State of the City Address – Mesquite, Nevada (March 4, 2026)
2026 State of the City Address – Mesquite, Nevada (March 4, 2026)
Mayor Al Litman delivered the 2026 State of the City address on March 4, 2026, at the Mesquite Community Theatre. The event featured a color guard presentation by the Mesquite Fire and Police Department Honor Guard, the national anthem sung by Alana Davis, and bagpipes by Dennis Henge. The mayor welcomed special guests including Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkeley, Las Vegas Councilwoman Nancy Bruni, representatives from Senator Jackie Rosen’s office, and all Mesquite City Council members. The address highlighted new city staff, departmental achievements, infrastructure projects, community programs, and economic developments, all framed as a "love letter to Mesquite."
City Leadership Updates
- Rebecca Shrupp was introduced as the new City Manager, coming from Minnesota with experience in smaller cities.
- Martine Green was thanked for serving as interim city manager for the third time.
- Bryce Anderson is the new Finance Manager, with 11 years of experience from Utah.
- Adam Anderson is serving as interim City Attorney; the mayor expressed hope to make the role permanent.
- Ryan (last name not stated) was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief after 24 years with the department.
- Tracy Fells is the new Police Chief, with 25 years of service in Mesquite.
- Randy Lobb is the new Director of Leisure Services and Parks.
- Simon (Development Services Director) was praised as a "borderline genius" for writing successful grants.
Fire Department
- A new fire station in the Sun City area is expected to be operational in June 2026. Councilman Paul Wandless shared a personal story about how faster response times can save lives, noting the station will reduce response times by two to three minutes.
- A second new fire station (Station No. 2 rebuild) was already completed across the street; the Sun City station is the second major fire facility project.
Police Department
- Crime is down, and officers are commended for going the extra mile with community members.
- The Casablanca Hotel donated a new children’s room at the police station, equipped with a TV, movies, games, and toys for children experiencing traumatic situations.
Animal Shelter Expansion
- Councilwoman Patty Gallo presented a video tour of the new animal shelter addition: 3,000 square feet featuring soundproof roofing, a cat room with a meet-and-greet space, a critter room for rabbits/reptiles, an isolation room for cats, upgraded laundry and break rooms, and new ACO offices.
- The shelter has been a no-kill facility multiple times and in 2024 won a national award for Agency of the Year.
- A ribbon cutting is scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Public Works and Infrastructure
- Edward Curto promoted to Streets and Drainage Manager (25 years of service). He holds International Municipal Signal Association certifications and has chaired the public works safety committee.
- Kyle Casey ("Casey") promoted to Fleet Maintenance Division Manager (with the city since 2017); described as able to "fix anything."
- Hydration stations: Councilwoman Karen Fielding reported 19 stations installed as part of Phase One; as of the morning of the address, 4,287 plastic water bottles had been saved from the landfill. Stations dispense chilled, filtered water. Phase Two will add six more stations.
- Other projects: new traffic lights, road reconstruction by the new fire station, and park improvements.
Justice Facility Expansion and Evidence Building
- Councilman Kevin Parrish presented a video detailing the renovations and additions at the Mesquite Justice Facility. Original facility built in 1993 (13,000 sq ft); 2003 addition (1,500 sq ft). The new project, started February 3, 2025, and anticipated 100% complete by end of March 2026, includes:
- Justice court area: 385 sq ft renovation + 1,000 sq ft addition including a 12-person jury deliberation room (state law requirement).
- Old evidence storage: 1,800 sq ft converted back to office spaces (after police moved to new headquarters).
- Jail area: 981 sq ft renovation + 2,400 sq ft addition, with new camera system, entry card access, flooring, fire sprinkler system, new sally port, cells, safe cell, kitchen, shower, food storage, laundry, staff restroom.
- Inmate capacity increased from 39 to 47.
- New evidence building: 3,650 sq ft, 100% complete, with evidence processing area, offices, restroom, and modern storage including reefers for bodily fluids and a secure area for drugs/weapons/ammunition. Officers already using it.
- Funding: Design/engineering using COVID funds; construction uses redevelopment money; no cost to Mesquite citizens.
Breaking the Cycle Program
- Presided over by Judge Ryan Toon. Program celebrated 10 years with its 40th and 41st graduates scheduled for a ceremony on March 10, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Currently 13 participants. Program focuses on drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation, reuniting families, and helping participants gain employment.
Veterans Services
- Councilman Bill Ennis highlighted: a VA mobile clinic now visits Mesquite; a veterans clinic will open at the end of March 2026 with a provider and nurse making house calls; telehealth services will begin in April 2026, allowing veterans to consult with providers from the Veterans Center instead of traveling to Las Vegas or St. George.
- Mesquite has nearly 4,000 veterans out of a population of about 25,000—a very high percentage.
Economic Development and Casino Updates
- Mesquite Entertainment (Casablanca & Virgin River): Complete exterior renovation of Casablanca, restoration of the lagoon and waterfall, new wedding venue and public park. New restaurants: Einstein Bagels, Jersey Joe’s, Rita’s Fajitas, PayWay Fresh, Brothers Pizza, Shackspick Chicken, Crafted Burgers, Peruse Burgers & Brews. Renovated Catherine’s and Burger King at Virgin River. New Sky Bar and sports book at Virgin River.
- Eureka: Remodeled Gregory’s; other undisclosed plans. Funded a new culinary department at the high school.
- Holiday Inn (formerly Rising Star) reopened, with a water park (lazy river, slides) under construction. Will host the "Battle on the Border" rodeo (first in many years). Basketball and volleyball tournaments planned.
- Old Holiday Inn rebranded as Hampton Inn.
- SpringHill Suites is under construction; concrete pouring expected within weeks.
- Adobe Mesa Plaza (Sun City) is under construction with walls up.
Schools and Youth
- High school: Graduation rate in the mid-to-high 90s; named a four-star school; ACT scores up; won 6 of 11 academic state championships; all sports teams top of league. Boy’s volleyball won state championship in its second year; new bowling team; hosted Special Olympics.
- National Merit Scholar: Cara Morris scored 35 on ACT and earned a full ride to Southern Utah University. Another student also received a perfect ACT score.
- Middle school: Robotics team qualified for district competition; girls flag football won Division 1 championship; boys basketball finished second in Clark County School District. Bike safety assembly distributed 85 helmets. Teachers completed a walking challenge totaling 7 million steps.
Community Engagement and Grants
- Mayor, George Galt, Simon, and a committee secured a $1 million Travel Nevada grant (split between two cities) for marketing and community cohesion. A community meeting at the Virgin River drew 250 attendees.
- The STEAM Center hosted Nevada Lieutenant Governor, Congressman Horsford, and included drone competitions.
Events and Community Organizations
- Mesquite Days (community event) organized by Randy Lobb.
- Community Theatre had record crowds for "Murder on the Warrior Express" with multiple sellouts.
- Mesquite Toads Pageant (older women’s talent and dance event) drew a large crowd.
- Women’s History Center added a new monument and attractions.
- Elks Club completed a building addition and does extensive charity work.
- Austin Wetzel named new Chamber of Commerce head.
Closing Remarks
Mayor Litman thanked Nancy (executive assistant), Simon, Adam Anderson, Officers Brown and Magden, George Galt and the grant steering committee, his wife (the First Lady), his daughters, the city council, and all citizens for their engagement and volunteerism. He emphasized that the speech was intended as a "love letter to Mesquite" and expressed gratitude for the community’s passion.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome everyone. Thank you so much for coming and supporting the City of Mesquite and myself. I really appreciate it. We are going to start off with a presentation of the colors by the Mesquite Fire and Mesquite Police Department Honor Guard. Mr. Mayor, it is an honor and privilege for the Mesquite Fire Department, the Mesquite Police Department honor guard to present the colors for the two thousand twenty-six State of the City. We're so gallery streaming. Oh say that star spangled. First of all, I'd like to say thank you so much to the Mesquite and Police and Fire Honor Guard. Miss Alana Davis. We give her another round of applause. She she did an amazing job. She sang the national anthem at a basketball game or something. I'm like, man, she is really, really good. So she was one of the first names that came to my mind when thinking about somebody to do this. And also Dennis Henge for playing playing the bag pipe, the bagpipes. So once again, welcome. And I would like to recognize a few people here tonight. First of all, Mayor Shelley. Disclaimer. There's a good plant chance. I might go off the rails. There's a really good chance I'll get emotional. So just be forewarned. But we'd really like to welcome Mayor Shelley Berkeley. And if we could give her a round of applause. And to have our city host the mayor of that preeminent city, for her to take the time to come and visit us and listen to me. I sit next to her once a month on the LBC VA committee, so we've got a chance to visit. And she's a wonderful mayor and wonderful person, at least as far as I know. So far so good. We actually have a little family connection. Her daughter worked for my uncle and my uncle and aunt. My uncle's a doctor, and she she worked in his office, I think in high school, right? And so we had we had a little connection there. So thank you so much, Mayor, for coming. Also coming from the city of Las Vegas, Councilwoman Nancy Bruni. As well as the executive secretary, Jerry Schroeder. And also all these good looking gentlemen that make me feel like an average sized person from the Las Vegas Marshall's office that are here to keep track of the mayor and make sure she behaves. So thank you to all those delegates coming out of Las Vegas. Also, we have from Senator Jackie Rosen's office, Candace Wells and Christian Jones here on the front row. We welcome them and appreciate them taking the time to come out. Also, we have our city council members, Miss Karen Fielding, Mr. Paul Wanless, Mr. Bill Annis, Mr. Kevin Parrish, and Mrs. Patty Gallo. Thank you for them coming. I roped them into all doing a little video for me to kind of take up my time. So you're gonna be seeing those little videos throughout the speech tonight. So we have quite a few new faces in our city government, and we have some old faces in new positions.
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