MOHAVE COUNY – Elected officials approved plans for spending more than $8 million of COVID-19 relief money during separate Tuesday meetings of local government. The federal government is providing Mohave County and its municipalities more than $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help communities and citizens recover from the pandemic.
Mohave County Supervisors previously agreed to equally divide some $41.5 million among their five districts. District 1 Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter had not sought approval for use of the more than $8 million allotted to his district before Tuesday.
The Board approved Lingenfelter’s request to seek private sector proposals in an attempt to bring high speed broadband internet service to the greater Kingman area. He said isolation of the pandemic taught everyone how important reliable internet service is to schools, the business community, and beyond.
The Board also approved Board Chairman Buster Johnson’s first spending request within District 3. Johnson earmarked $2.75 million to replace deteriorating water lines in the Horizon Six Improvement District.
The Board approved a new funding initiative for supervisor Hildy Angius in District 2. She’s kicking in $650,000 to help fund construction of a pavilion for the Gary Keith Civic Center Park.
“This is one of the things that the ARPA money is for: for community development and community use. I believe this provides the most benefit for the most people.”
Angius explained that other area population centers have locations in the heart of their communities for public gathering, performing arts, and other social activity. She said Bullhead City lacks that at present, and that a stage and pavilion at Gary Keith would serve that purpose.
Angius addressed Bullhead City Council Members at their meeting hours after the County Board session. It was noted that the Legacy Foundation is contributing the other $250,000 needed to build out the pavilion and complementary features.
The Bullhead Council voted to spend $650,000 of its $13.6 million share of ARPA funds for other improvements to complete the park. They include surface paving, bathrooms, and landscaping amenities.
Dave Hawkins
