Boulder City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Boulder City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Historic Preservation Day Planning
HP Day returns May 8, 2027 with a $500 budget that members called unrealistic for a bigger event. The commission settled on a water theme and is eyeing partnerships and possibly a new venue to boost turnout.
Historic Water Filtration Plant Restoration
The restored 1931 water filtration plant needs a long-term use, and public feedback strongly favors a water museum. The commission is working through restrooms, lighting, ownership records and accessibility before making a recommendation to the City Council.
Police Department Carport Canopy COA
The city wants to shade its police vehicles and new EV chargers at the 1932 Spanish Revival police station, a contributing Historic District building. The commission found the modern canopy meets historic standards and approved it unanimously.
Buchanan Boulevard Improvements and RTC Infrastructure Funding
The RTC is putting $100,000 toward designing upgrades along Buchanan from Elm to Adams — new pavement, sidewalks, ramps, drainage, and utility work. Design now; construction comes later.
Conservation Easement law enforcement funding
Clark County is paying the city $655,608 through 2032 to patrol and prosecute violations in the Boulder City Conservation Easement, protecting desert tortoise habitat.
Xeriscape heat island and Bureau of Reclamation site conditions
Residents again complained the xeriscape conversion outside the Bureau's admin building left a heat island — dead plants, a lost Joshua tree, and mounds that heat nearby homes. The Bureau promised better communication and winter replanting but made no commitment on removing the mounds.
USDA Rural Development funding programs for Boulder City
The USDA pitched programs Boulder City has barely used: 1% home repair loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 for seniors, plus loan guarantees for rural businesses. The mayor wants a town hall to spread the word.
Police Supervisors Collective Bargaining Agreement and Insurance
The city's sergeants and lieutenants worked more than a year without a current contract. The new deal adds a six-step pay schedule, retention bonuses at 15 and 20 years, and moves them onto the same Teamsters health plan as other employees — aiming to keep Boulder City pay competitive with Henderson, Metro, and North Las Vegas.
Carbon Cactus Farm Conditional Use Permit at 1201 Quail Drive
Developers proposed leasing a 4-acre city-owned parcel at 1201 Quail Drive to establish a research and demonstration prickly pear cactus farm. Council discussed water usage, agricultural zoning, and project feasibility.
Front-Yard Carport and Variance at 650 Arizona Street
A homeowner requested variances to build a 20x20 carport and patio cover 12 feet from the property line in the front yard. The Planning Commission approved the request, finding that site constraints justified the variance.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan and Project Timing
The city has outlined 48 capital projects for the upcoming year totaling $43.8 million, covering everything from utility upgrades and road maintenance to the construction of the new municipal pool.
Utility Rate Study and Multi-Year Rate Adjustments
Boulder City is undertaking a comprehensive rate study with FCS Group to evaluate the financial health, capital needs, and rate structures of its electric, water, wastewater, and solid waste utilities. The study will review operating expenses, debt service, and reserve requirements to ensure each utility remains self-sufficient without cross-subsidization.
Redevelopment Grant for 803 Industrial Court
The RDA awarded over $83,000 in commercial grants to three local properties to support life safety upgrades, business expansion, and vintage sign improvements.
SNWA Effluent Reuse Feasibility Study
Mayor Hardy flagged that fixing Boulder City's wastewater effluent issues could cost more than $200 million — money the city doesn't have — and said regional discussions are underway to find solutions.
Data center timeline concerns raised in public comment
Resident Branden Smith questioned the sequence of events — TS2 discussions, the February 24 meeting, a Planning Commission appointment, and the introduction of a data center proposal into the Land Management Plan — relative to candidate filings, and asked the council to explain how it unfolded.
Community Development Advisory Committee appointment
Kevin Abbott of Lend a Hand was appointed as Boulder City's non-voting representative on the committee that reviews federal CDBG grant projects for Clark County. Boulder City has received nearly $7 million in CDBG funding since 1982.
Public Works & Utilities Annual Department Report
The department's annual report covered 74 active projects, the nearly finished Aquatic Center, dark-sky lighting, turf reduction, and upcoming intersection and flood control work. Residents will see construction on Avenue G, the Buchanan-Adams and Buchanan-Veterans Memorial intersections, and continued road maintenance planning.
2025-2030 Strategic Implementation Plan Quarterly Update
City Manager Ned Thomas reported that 31 of 39 strategies in the city's five-year strategic plan are completed, ongoing, or in progress, with only one long-term housing funding strategy not yet started. Council members praised the transparency and asked for a public list of grants received.
Utility Bills and Data Centers
Boulder City residents are fed up with sky-high utility bills, and the state attorney general is stepping in to hear complaints about local household costs linked to data centers. It's a prime chance to sound off on how big tech might be driving up your monthly power bill.