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Board directs attorney to draft contract offer for Assistant Chief Kevin Smith to succeed retiring Fire Chief
Summary
The Fort Mohave Mesa Fire District Board on Feb. 17 voted to direct the district attorney to draft a contract offer for Assistant Chief Kevin Smith following Fire Chief Chris Pardi’s announced retirement; the decision followed public support and closed-session deliberations under state statute.
On Feb. 17, 2026, the Fort Mohave Mesa Fire District Board voted unanimously to direct the district attorney to prepare a draft contract offer for Assistant Chief Kevin Smith to become Fire Chief after Chris Pardi’s planned July retirement.
The motion to direct the attorney to prepare the contract was moved and seconded in open session and passed on a roll call vote: Arden Lauxman, Sher Voelker, Joseph Harmon, Michala Cross and Chair Michael Bell voted Aye. Board members had discussed Pardi’s performance and retirement in a closed executive session held earlier under A.R.S. 38-431.03(A)(1).
The action followed several public comments urging an internal promotion. Maureen Welch, a longtime local healthcare educator, praised the department and said Smith “is one of the finest leaders she has observed in 47 years.” Kevin Herskovitz, speaking on behalf of Blake Hubbard, CEO of Valley View Medical Center, said Hubbard supports Smith and expects the partnership between the hospital and the district to continue to grow under Smith’s leadership. Local 4324 President Kyle Bakken and Battalion Chief Kevin Thompson also expressed support, with Thompson describing Smith as a colleague he is “honored to serve under.”
Board minutes show the board held two executive sessions that evening: one to discuss Chief Pardi’s performance and retirement, and a second to consider the possible promotion of Assistant Chief Smith. After exiting the second closed session, the board voted to have the attorney draft a contract offer; the minutes say the attorney will prepare the draft for Board consideration at a future public meeting.
No formal appointment vote occurred that night. The board’s directive to prepare a contract starts a public process that will include review of the draft agreement at a subsequent board meeting before any contract is signed or the appointment is finalized.
