Proposals to build a new sheriff’s office substation and to put a local television station on the Mohave County-administered television district were discussed, but no formal action was taken on either item during Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting in Kingman.
Public Works Director Steve Latoski told supervisors that staff puts a near $10-million price tag on a county complex that would include a sheriff’s office substation, a medical examiner’s office and an animal control operation. Latoski said three buildings totaling 29,000 sq. ft. are envisioned north of Lake Havasu City.
Latoski said staff suggests exit 13, the Franconia Wash interchange, as an ideal location for the project. He said the county could explore possible use of an 8.8-acre site in that vicinity that is owned by the Bureau of Land Management.
Sheriff Doug Schuster told supervisors he would prefer that new facilities be built in Fort Mohave and outside Lake Havasu City to replace substations he labeled “atrocious.” But he also said he understands that one substation serving both river districts would be more cost effective.
Supervisor Buster Johnson said the best way to pay for the county campus would be a short extension of the quarter-cent sales tax set to expire at the end of this year. Deputy county attorney Ryan Esplin said a new sales tax is another option and that both options would require a unanimous vote of the five-member board.
Members provided no indication if and when the matter might be brought back for board consideration. Supervisor Ron Gould voted against accepting the staff report, possibly signaling his opposition to the sales tax funding mechanism.
Supervisors also declined action on the possibility of adding TV2 KLBC Laughlin to the county television improvement district. Research on the matter was initiated five years ago and WECOM, the company that maintains and operates the system under contract with the county, believes a sub channel can be used to carry TV2 without impacting any other channels and programming on the system.
Owner Bruce Clark said TV2 recently celebrated its 30th anniversary of providing local programming. He said more than 4,000 guests have appeared on more than 5,500 morning shows aired over the past 27 years.
Clark said other locally originated material aired on TV2 includes a Sunday religion show, a program focused of women’s issues and another that features ride-alongs with area law enforcement agencies.
Johnson questioned whether the county should just provide a slot for TV2 or if other companies and stations should instead be considered as well.
Supervisors on Monday also reconsidered a ten-year lease proposed for the Mohave County Fairgrounds Association. The board opted for a one-year lease providing time to measure operation of the fairgrounds given that the association is under new leadership. – Dave Hawkins
