Board authorizes mutual release with airport consultant amid ongoing governance review

The Mojave County Board of Supervisors on April 6 authorized the county to execute a mutual release with Capstone Aero Solutions, which had provided advisory services related to governance, sponsor‑authority questions and potential airport land disposition at Laughlin‑Bullhead International Airport.

Benjamin Gary, CEO of Capstone, urged caution before a broad release if outstanding governance and FAA compliance issues remain unresolved. ‘‘If the underlying governance and federal compliance issues that prompted this engagement have not been formally resolved... executing a release of this scope under acknowledged ambiguity may impair the county’s ability to address those issues going forward,’’ Gary told the board.

County leaders said a forensic audit of the airport authority’s finances is underway and that new board appointments by the city and county may change the authority’s governance dynamics. The county attorney said the release is limited to the engagement period and would not prevent the county from re‑engaging Capstone or other advisers if additional work is required.

The board approved the mutual release; supervisors and staff signaled the county will continue to monitor the authority’s audit and governance process and may seek consultants as needed to protect county interests and compliance with FAA sponsor‑assurance obligations.

Next steps: county and airport authority staff will continue oversight of the forensic audit and return to the board if further consultant engagements are needed.