[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6127717,"mediaKeyId","2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb","parentId",2661716,"title","Board flags declining general‑aviation operations at Hilton Head and steep local fuel prices compared with ARW","audioSeconds",227,"startMs",4078000,"endMs",4305000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb&start=4078&end=4305","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb/thumbnail_4078000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127717/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Board-flags-declining-generalaviation-operations-at-Hilton-Head-and-steep-local-fuel-prices-compared-with-ARW","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127717-4add5d3b524148c70bedbee2b5389074/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440168&Signature=RNRl1FXq0xScEyLrLBJMxa2hEDzmSzazgJxRgD3y8K-yGAPbPOkGifkWxs9wFZ1FeEukwX3eu0JZvcbA6Ysw1EienE1I8n~~WjVc47oJs9T5RaJoMDhY9U4BPwTRHXWK571ss3cT8k6oqUsAVTF8YjXX8raL3Zuoohof7AEGTb8aIwjA4YhEiYQo~IkKmBqZy6pW6k-jYyvhdR~i0FZKYc3iJoeC1kic7UGgems00nZOzkB20uRcjT~qa94-~Ld~0ucBkfHkxq0Y-8KwB5q-nL26lDudqwwNG1KunD-xk1tz3FjYr9vQA5GR8AZ85AENXZs1gv35e5FbMx0b-~yUSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","BCTV","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","During committee reports a member of the Hilton Head Improvement Committee raised a multi‑year decline in general aviation (GA) operations at Hilton Head and asked the board whether it wants GA activity to grow over time.

The committee member reported that GA operations numbered approximately 26,500 in 2021, fell after the COVID year, were about 20,800 in 2023 and that the first two months of the current year were under 3,000—levels below recent years. The member noted that charter flight activity has increased but that GA operations and FBO/flight‑school revenue have trended downward.

The committee member suggested the board examine why pilots and GA operators might be selecting nearby airports over Hilton Head and to compare fuel pricing at neighboring fields. Another board member pointed out that fuel prices at Hilton Head appeared to be roughly $3 per gallon higher than at ARW and described Hilton Head’s price as the highest within a roughly 300‑mile radius; staff noted the board does not directly control fuel pricing at the Hilton Head FBO (the county owns the FBO at ARW but leases the Hilton Head FBO to a third party).

Board members discussed the importance of monitoring operations and fuel prices as part of broader efforts to attract GA traffic; they also noted that runway projects and operational scheduling could affect GA business and that data from surrounding airports should be examined to understand competitive factors.

Ending: Board asked staff to keep monitoring GA operations, fuel pricing and regional comparisons and to return with more complete data for discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beaufort County Airports Board - March 13, 2025, at 10 AM","oneSentenceSummary","A committee report noted a multi‑year decline in general aviation operations at Hilton Head, raised questions about regional fuel pricing and asked the board to consider whether and how to support GA growth.","taxTitle","Beaufort County, South Carolina","taxId",5067,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127720,"Board approves agenda, minutes and a name‑change on a Buford Executive operating agreement",2929,1002000,3931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb&start=1002&end=3931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb/thumbnail_1002000.jpg","/articles/6127720/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Board-approves-agenda-minutes-and-a-namechange-on-a-Buford-Executive-operating-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127720-8e2ca936837126e11dbadf4abcca5713/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440168&Signature=hd5go7v3BEChVAuXYHrDXqBaZZjbwaHhILw6wR-VwMjkrFl0z1bMybO7xDOGtVOQPnliH-g6MPjtg8VpqqiHuqw49IsbK7b52YHCLnKhvYj~10hFrxxTGFBTB~oYN8TXThkREJrLmM1Uc2BtuqeHWjD0We8TB-XNcKPTUosR0zbrD1BOhUIr8AIJANifQto2cBBc0QuriR-oJbqOUxu8I~Dc~mQy1kbRhz4RlMpG9wjogOTlSoTakVVSibM5vXFGRYN4TeZ9RZinttcUWHbDQfjtHcO5UdU2wO2zgO98ZUfs5355P8zF0r-7rYnCgH66xzHmSKGIt~d40wtwKccWxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the meeting the Beaufort County Airport Board approved the agenda and the minutes from its Feb. 20 meeting, and approved a commercial operating agreement amendment for a Buford Executive flight‑training operator to reflect a change in the owner’s name.

The agenda approval and minutes approval were handled by voice vote with a motion and second; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript. The commercial operating agreement item was described by John, airport director, as a straightforward name change of the existing agreement: the contract terms remain the same but the owner name required an updated signature from the account administrator.

When the board considered the commercial operating agreement, a motion was moved by Jim and seconded by Rich. After asking for opposition and hearing none, the chair declared the motion passed.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of meeting agenda — motion moved (Jim), second recorded; outcome: approved (no opposed recorded).
- Approval of minutes from Feb. 20 — motion moved and seconded (names not specified in transcript); outcome: approved (no opposed recorded).
- Commercial operating agreement (Buford Executive owner name change) — motion moved by Jim, seconded by Rich; outcome: approved (no opposed recorded). The agreement reflects a change in owner name only; staff said the underlying agreement terms are unchanged and the account administrator will execute the updated document.

Ending: The approvals concluded the action items portion of the meeting; no items were tabled or failed.","The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes and voted to accept a commercial operating agreement amendment that reflects a change in owner name for a flight‑training operator at Buford Executive; motions passed with no recorded opposition.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127725,"Airport board reviews six‑month finances; payroll, security and capital purchases drove expense increases",965,2685000,3650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb&start=2685&end=3650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb/thumbnail_2685000.jpg","/articles/6127725/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Airport-board-reviews-sixmonth-finances-payroll-security-and-capital-purchases-drove-expense-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127725-d8d3c49e6a18a127004fb885d1a0f243/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440168&Signature=hZG0aCrBDkB9WQTRqM7LcGdDGHFjd0dXa9sJPKmYRJmdSfO342zQBGj5URlKW23wTncp0Bl7Kp98ZddOuNtekx7ukfM5qOpa7epRjA6rgJRm-WHTh55nlh4BMnDOLiqIXId1gvxHX0zCWvzIrLCv4b9LLqBUijP~4i5pYTUJqhMyScXlUcYzstN3478sFu4792ph8sCwDyF6C-qeYmQ9ZVwtIIiEOmumg8BcZvMMSm~~LMaiO~NBemXT4N3H7ipkYQgertbC-dAJPLadXSG4C-YR5t05rvumPkiwO4TbFZBQvTgnffOyPk9JKcQyewTQUyuSLX0JoE7ZV~HpOXQ5bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board reviewed a midyear financial presentation covering the six months ended Dec. 31. Brian, the finance presenter, compared year‑to‑date revenues and expenses to the previous year and highlighted timing variances and one‑time items.

On revenues, Brian said cable franchise fees and Hilton Head tax reimbursement timing accounted for some variances; ramp, security and rent revenues had increased as part of cost recovery arrangements with airlines. Hangar rental revenue rose mainly because of price increases.

On expenses, Brian pointed to higher payroll and related costs resulting from county compensation adjustments and new hires, an increase in professional services largely tied to Securitas security contractor fees (up roughly $143,000), and a set of capital purchases (about $149,000) including vehicles, airfield lighting controls, disabled‑aircraft recovery tools, an EV charging station and HVAC replacements. He said the county does not book depreciation until year‑end and offered to estimate depreciation in future reports; several board members preferred to omit estimated depreciation until it is booked.

Brian reported the net variance as roughly $232,000 lower (revenues minus expenses), and after adding back capital equipment the difference narrowed to about $82,000. He told the board he expected some timing differences (group insurance and stormwater fee bookings) to even out later in the fiscal year.

The board also discussed runway and maintenance work at ARW. John and staff said an April runway safety‑area drainage installation will require a temporary closure for about a week; paving work is likely later in the summer. Steve, ARW staff, explained jet fuel accounting: inventory held in tanks appears as an asset until sold, which can create timing differences between fuel purchases and fuel revenue recognition. He said the airport had about $121,000 of jet fuel inventory at the measurement point, which affects when cost of goods sold is recorded.

Board members asked for future packets to include the financial presentation in advance and for a short summary or bullet points highlighting the line‑item variances; Brian agreed to provide quarterly reports going forward and to consider adding estimates only if the board requests them.

Ending: The board did not change policy at the meeting; staff will provide future quarterly financial packages and continue to track timing variances, capital needs and planned runway work.","Finance staff presented revenue and expense variances for the first six months of the fiscal year: revenues mostly steady with increases tied to airline cost recovery, while payroll, security contractor fees and a catch‑up in capital equipment purchases raised expenses.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127730,"Beaufort County airport board: terminal phase one near completion; county seeks $15 million for phase two",614,1276000,1890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb&start=1276&end=1890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661716-d64fdb3981bd762e3c21f0afe1dad2fb/thumbnail_1276000.jpg","/articles/6127730/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Beaufort-County-airport-board-terminal-phase-one-near-completion-county-seeks-15-million-for-phase-two","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127730-91055415cca61f0d60d30d7d1f9e663d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440168&Signature=gAxXrIRbm322ch6-ORIgY8izYibuhzwU1WyIafXL8AdjYnWtxpk-LBJiYhXlSyhAcXq7ilbHVfjS1Zi7hBkT-2RgrgYdVE83ljvF-608UGJmsBWKmFVEd2wwpAQBYkQF6MvMRj-hT0QXSjwOxJtp~T3eMOemifVcd2a9pKYNiHIO2xMEb-svbrLmq4jnTeoRuq2nIgto149z63riPVuLi7zvZ1dPzCz8dG7Wy~9b4MfygJ5lkuIHuVa4MEEekGO3Gh9uKyo1Fcdw1gHSh370K1UMsZDQ~VHYyVhKwYmCh9J5fTzyycSDKrdPt1UOpURt53Z8QmlEwfsh5rVEUw6PhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beaufort County Airport Board heard an update on terminal construction and a request for state funding during its regular meeting. John, airport director, told the board the current construction phase is taking shape and that the airport has submitted a formal request to the state for $15,000,000 toward phase two of the terminal project.

The request matters because phase two would renovate and expand the existing terminal building and add operational capacity not included in the current phase. John said the terminal’s roof and interior framing are nearly complete, that the building is being fitted with boarding areas and concessions space, and that the temporary canopy currently at the front of the existing building will be removed when phase two proceeds.

John described the design as a single‑story building that nonetheless accommodates passenger boarding bridges by using slight ramps and grade changes rather than a second floor. He said administrative office space in the new construction is being limited to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements, and the remainder of the new building is mission‑driven operational space.

On funding, John said the county has asked the state for $15,000,000 for phase two and plans to apply for federal discretionary funding that Congress authorized last year; he noted those FAA discretionary dollars (a $10,000,000 pot for small non‑hub terminal projects referenced in the reauthorization) are uncertain and carry more risk than the state request. He also said the county will submit a separate $2,000,000 state request this week for the Saint James Baptist Church project.

John reminded the board that the current phase’s projected completion is next spring (\"give or take a year\") and that staff will continue pursuing state and federal support. The board and staff discussed outreach and advocacy; John said staff and some board members had attended a recent legislative reception in Columbia and planned a trip to Washington, D.C., later in the month to meet federal staffers and reinforce the funding requests.

Melinda Tunner, the Town of Hilton Head liaison to the board, said she had requested the liaison appointment because Ward 6 is near the airport and residents want updates; she raised concerns about FAA staffing and grant funding in Washington and asked that the board keep that uncertainty in mind when pursuing federal funding.

Board members also heard that airport staff provide regular public engagement and education visits (students, Civil Air Patrol, ARFF demonstrations) and that staff post weekly project photos to an engagement site managed by Rocio. John said staff will continue to update the board and encouraged members with delegation contacts to reinforce the county’s funding requests.

Looking ahead, John said the airport will coordinate phase two funding, and staff will provide additional information to the board about advocacy plans and potential committee work on government affairs.

Ending: The board did not take a final funding vote at this meeting; staff will continue to pursue state and federal funding and report back as advocacy and grant applications progress.","Airport director reported the new single‑story terminal’s first phase is nearly finished with a projected completion next spring and that the board has requested $15 million in state funding for a second phase; FAA discretionary funding remains uncertain.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board flags declining general‑aviation operations at Hilton Head and steep local fuel prices compared with ARW

Board approves agenda, minutes and a name‑change on a Buford Executive operating agreement

Airport board reviews six‑month finances; payroll, security and capital purchases drove expense increases

Beaufort County airport board: terminal phase one near completion; county seeks $15 million for phase two