On March 17th, Supervisor Ron Gould pulled the contract renewal with River City News for County legal notices because it lacked the cost for the contract amendment. The County has spent approximately $44,000 so far this fiscal year. The “paper of record” had been changed to the Lake Havasu Today’s News Herald since the Kingman Miner had changed their print dates. The item was continued.
Gould also pulled the County’s check warrant registers item because it gives limited details and they are essentially authorizing a blank check without knowing which department funds originate from, what the project is and why it is being spent. One item was paid to Orange County Housing Authority in CA. The IT Department and Finance Department will coordinate to provide a more detailed report.
The Kingman Rotary Club received $49,800 from Nuccor Steele to fund repairs and improvements at Camp Levi Levi. Gould thanked them as the camp is important to the Boy Scouts. A budget transfer was requested to help mitigate the fire hazard. The funds will come from a Parks’ Healthy Forest Initiative Grant.
The annual agreement to outsource our voter registration database was up for renewal. The Board approved the agreement but asked the Recorder’s office to look into bringing the database in house like Maricopa and Pinal Counties.
Angle Homes was on the agenda to reconsider a proposed development in Fountain Hills, and was approved despite overwhelming opposition, with District 4 Supervisor Don Martin backstabbing his constituents on the deciding vote.
The Economic Development Department will be the test department for Zero-Based Budgeting. Gould brought the item forward and it passed, starting in Fiscal Year 2026 which begins in July. The Board will discuss budgets on April 16th.
Also on March 17th, Gould tried again to end the private/public partnership with Serenity Memorial Group for the Medical Examiner’s office. In 2021 staff was ordered to bring the office in-house but it never happened. The Board voted to keep Serenity on a month-to-month basis until a Request For Proposal is completed.
April 7th, the Board denied a cell tower application in Dolan Springs with Gould commenting, “no, because they are ugly.” Federal law prohibits denying cell towers for health reasons.
The River City News contract for legal notices was approved with the Supervisors directing procurement to go out to bid.
After the retirement of County Public Information Officer Roger Galloway, the Board abolished the PIO position and applied the funds to a Sheriff’s deputy position. Lettman and Martin dissenting.
Lettman brought forth three items regarding the Bullhead/Laughlin International Airport and the Mohave County Airport Authority (MCAA). The MCAA lease was executed in the 1980s and continues to 2087, it works out to four cents per year and includes a lot of vacant land the County collects no property tax on. Supervisors requested Airport Authority audited financials for two years by April 21st. The Board will also become a permanent voting member of the Airport Authority. MCAA was invited to give a presentation to the Board on May 5th.
Lettman asked the Board to renew Serenity Memorial Group's controversial Medical Examiner contract. Supervisors Gould and Lingenfelter opposed, with Borrelli, Martin and Lettman voting to continuing the contract through 2025.
A resolution in support of public tours of Davis Dam for National Public Lands Day 2025 was approved unanimously.