The Mohave County Board of Supervisors says they found significant operating losses from the Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport, and say they have a fiduciary responsibility to take control of the airport.
On Tuesday, the supervisors adopted a resolution outlining 19 different actions taken by the Mohave County Airport Authority (MCAA) — which oversees the Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport — including more than $500,000 in operating losses each of the previous three years.
For the fiscal year ending June 2026, the MCAA allegedly lost more than $600,000, missing their projected income by more than $900,000.
“We don't hear a peep out of the airport authority about the operating losses,” said District 2 Supervisor Rich Lettman. “They're running out of unrestricted cash, OK, at the airport. That's another reason we need to make this move.”
The resolution adopted on Tuesday put into the record the list of “negative” actions taken by the MCAA which justify the condemnation of the lease agreement, including alleged financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and violations of Arizona’s open meeting law and procurement law. The resolution further authorized the board’s attorneys to move forward with the condemnation process.
The supervisors say these actions are contrary to the expectations of the lease agreement, and are devaluing the assets of Mohave County.
“A very sad day for all of us that it comes down to this type of action that we have to take to protect the citizens and taxpayers of the county,” said Lettman, who motioned for the resolution to be adopted.
District 3 Supervisor Sonny Borrelli says taking control of the airport best serves the public’s interest.
“We could delegate the authority. The overall responsibility falls on us,” Borrelli said. “And I think we have a fiduciary obligation and responsibility to save the taxpayers of Mohave County.”
However, airport director James Scheller said the supervisors do not have the authority to unilaterally take over airport operations.
“There's obviously a lot of misunderstanding as to how an airport is operated, financed, and the current situation of the Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport,” Scheller said. “It would be beneficial for all parties to meet and confer to discuss all the concerns that are in this resolution and work together to allow each one to resolve on its own.”
Scheller denies the allegations in the resolution, including that he unilaterally procured a $700,000 loan from the airport’s fuel provider without approval from the airport authority board of directors. Scheller said he did have approval.
“This condemnation pursuit is very destructive, and I think we'll set this airport back to the Stone Age,” Scheller said.
In a statement, County Manager David Strahl said there will be a court filling after 20 days for a judge to consider the county's motion, and the supervisors' authority to take control of the airport is because the MCAA was created through board action.
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