Bullhead City officials urge residents to review 2026 general plan ahead of November vote

City officials on an informational briefing outlined the 2026 general plan update and urged residents to review and comment before the plan is forwarded to the City Council and potentially to voters in November.

Mackenzie Covert, the city’s public information officer, said the general plan is the 10-year roadmap for growth and infrastructure and “talks about our water usage, roads, our land uses” that inform zoning and future council decisions. She said the update is intended to reflect current conditions and residents’ priorities.

Johnny Louera, the city’s planning manager, said the plan is organized by topic and that at the end of each section there are goals, objectives and policies for which the city wants public input. “We want the public to look at those sections, read those goals, objectives, policies, give us their feedback on what’s already in the plan, and then potentially provide their ideas on what we should be focusing on,” Louera said.

Officials listed multiple ways to participate: an online comment form on the city website, several public meetings already held and upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission hearings on May 7 and May 21 and June 4, a Transit Commission meeting on May 11, and a City Council agenda item scheduled for June 16. Covert said if the council approves the recommended updates, the plan would go before voters on Nov. 3, the general election date.

Why it matters: The general plan sets the framework for zoning and large-scale decisions about water, transportation, parks and development. Louera said staff will compile comments, revise goals and policies as appropriate, and seek the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation before the City Council considers sending the plan to voters.

Residents who want to review the draft or submit comments were directed to bullheadcityaz.gov/generalplanupdate, where the draft, original plan and a comment form are or will be posted.