Mohave County to seek short‑term sponsor delegation agreement with FAA for Laughlin‑Bullhead airport

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 17 authorized the county attorney’s office to begin working with the Mohave County Airport Authority (MCAA) and the Federal Aviation Administration on a short‑term sponsor delegation agreement for Laughlin‑Bullhead International Airport that will not extend beyond Sept. 30, 2026.

A member of the public raised concerns about liabilities and recent leadership changes at the airport authority after an executive session; the speaker asked why the county had not been more transparent. Attorney Will Davis summarized the government roles: Mohave County is the FAA‑designated airport sponsor and the Mohave County Airport Authority — a seven‑member nonprofit created under state transportation law — has historically operated the airport under a delegated arrangement.

Davis said four MCAA board members resigned recently; the remaining authority board members appointed a finance‑committee member as president under their bylaws. He emphasized that multiple entities — the county (sponsor), the MCAA (operator), Bullhead City, and private parties — have distinct roles and responsibilities. “As the sponsor, Mohave County has a duty and responsibility for the overall operation of the airport,” Davis said.

To manage near‑term governance and legal obligations while the county works with the authority and the FAA, Supervisor Lettman moved and the board approved a motion directing the county attorney to begin the short‑term sponsor delegation work and to limit any delegation to Sept. 30, 2026. The motion passed by voice vote.

The directive starts a process of closer coordination among the county attorney’s office, the MCAA and the FAA to clarify sponsor responsibilities and to address outstanding operational and liability issues identified during executive session and public comment.