Mohave County Board of Supervisors members at a Jan. 13, 2026 special meeting voted to recess into an executive session to receive legal advice and later nominated David Strahl to serve as county manager, directing staff to begin negotiations with the chosen candidate.

The board’s presiding speaker (identified in the record as Speaker 2) moved that the body "recess into executive session to receive legal advice from the board's attorneys on any item contained in this agenda pursuant to ARS 38 dash 4 3 1.0383 and 4.8," citing state statutes the board said authorize attorney–client and personnel discussions. Speaker 1 seconded the procedural motion; Speaker 2 called a voice vote and the board recessed after affirmative responses.

After returning to open session, Speaker 1 formally nominated David Strahl for the county manager position, saying, "I nominate, David Strahl, county manager as administrator." Speaker 2 acknowledged the motion and a second, called a voice vote and said the motion was ordered, directing staff to proceed with negotiations on the county’s chosen candidate.

The meeting record shows approval by voice vote; no roll-call tally or individual member votes were recorded in the transcript. The board adjourned immediately after confirming the nomination.

Why it matters: County manager appointments determine the county’s chief administrator and shape near-term staffing and management decisions. The board’s use of an executive session reflects state law provisions allowing closed discussion of attorney advice and personnel matters before public action.

What’s next: According to the meeting record, staff were directed to enter negotiations with the chosen candidate. The transcript does not specify a contract amount, effective date, or additional steps required for final appointment; those details were not provided in the recorded segments.

Quote from meeting: "I nominate, David Strahl, county manager as administrator," Speaker 1 said when putting the nomination on the record.

The special meeting was short; the board recessed for legal advice, returned to vote on the nomination and adjourned.