Sheriff David Shuster briefed the Mohave County Board on Nov. 17 about recent capital purchases funded largely through a 2022 state allocation of $9 million and ARPA matches.

The sheriff said the office purchased a new Mohave Valley substation (nearly 11,000 square feet after modifications; total project under $4,000,000), a rebuilt Lake Havasu facility (about 13 offices and a 5,000-square-foot garage), and a Littlefield property (about $600,000). The purchases replaced aging, often inadequate facilities and will allow more robust patrol, investigative and evidence-processing work in each community.

The department also acquired a 43-foot heavy-duty Freightliner mobile command post, funded by a match of ARPA and state allocation dollars. The vehicle contains mobile dispatch capabilities, workstations, a conference area and a camera extension that can be used for incident command and communications, the sheriff said. "In 2022 we were awarded $9,000,000 for substations," Shuster said, summarizing the funding source and staff work to identify existing buildings suitable for rapid retrofit.

Shuster credited a multi-year push on grants and outside allocations for more than $25 million in external funding over five years, which he said has reduced demand on the county general fund. Board members asked about move-in timelines and remaining modification funds; the sheriff said Littlefield is targeted for occupation by March and roughly $200,000 remains available for modifications if needed.

The board generally thanked the sheriff for improved staffing and facilities, noting improved patrol rosters and reduced vacancies tied to prior salary adjustments.

What happens next: the sheriff will continue tenant-transition work for Littlefield, finalize modifications, and offer tours and demonstrations of the mobile command post to supervisors when scheduling allows.