Airport Commission members voted to approve a $145,700 air traffic control tower siting study on a motion and roll-call vote, funding preliminary work so the airport can decide later whether to accept a tower. The study will use federal non‑primary entitlement (MPE) funds for 90 percent of the cost, with state and local shares of 5 percent each.

The vote matters because it authorizes prerequisite technical work — surveys, FAA 3‑D modeling and environmental documentation — that staff said is required before the airport can decide whether to accept a tower. Chad, a staff member presenting the item, said: "This is, for a total of $145,700 90% of this is gonna be coming from our federal non primary entitlements, the MPE money, and then, 5% state and 5% local." The commission’s approval covers only the prework; it does not approve placement or construction of a tower.

Why it matters: Without the study, commissioners said, a future decision to accept a tower would require additional years of prerequisite work. Chad told the board this step "will determine of those 3 sites that we have, which 1 is the better 1 that they recommend to us. Then we can approve that site if that's the 1 we wanna go with." The FAA will use survey information to run modeling and recommend a preferred site; Barge will provide survey data and can begin design once a site is selected.

Key details and timeline: The FAA has already completed an initial environmental assessment for siting purposes; staff said the actual site will require follow‑up environmental work with the state and the Airport District Office once a site is selected. Chad said the sites under consideration are "previously disturbed and are maintained and mowed," and that staff expect a categorical exclusion (cat‑ex) or similar documentation for the initial siting step. Chad also told commissioners the FAA’s non‑reimbursable agreement for its work was prepared previously but may need updated cost figures; he said the FAA’s high‑end cost estimate was "around $71,000" but that staff had not yet received final confirmation from the agency.

Commissioners and process: Commissioners framed the vote as enabling information-gathering, not an authorization to build. One commissioner summarized the choice: "So again, what we're voting on here, Chad, is just the prerequisite work required so that in the future, we have the ability to say yes or no to a tower." Commissioners noted the process could take about a year for the FAA to complete its report and that outside developments — including growth at Nashville International (BNA) — could change regional traffic patterns while the study is underway. Chad said the study will also provide estimates of utility needs and the height that would be required for any tower, key inputs for future cost decisions.

Next steps: Staff will continue to follow up with the FAA to confirm the non‑reimbursable agreement and final costs, then proceed with survey and modeling work under the approved study. Any later decision to accept a tower or to proceed to construction would require separate approvals.

Ending: The commission’s vote makes available federal MPE money to cover most of the siting study; staff expect FAA modeling and a final recommendation to be shared with commissioners as the work progresses.