Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Funding Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Airport budget shifts to contractual services as city, Klickitat County review joint operating agreement
Summary
Airport staff told the budget committee that administrative changes and project financing run through Klickitat County reduce the citys airport fund totals even as construction on T-hangars and other airport projects continues.
Airport managers told the budget committee that the airport fund appears smaller in the coming fiscal year because several large grants and the college/business park project are being run through Klickitat County rather than the city this cycle.
Airport staff said last years budget included roughly $11 million in grant-related items; the current budget year projects about $4 million because the financing and some parts of capital projects (notably a college hangar/EDA project and related loan concepts) will be administered by Klickitat County. Airport leadership said the changes make the city budget look "wonky" but do not mean the projects are cancelled.
Staff described a long-standing joint operating agreement with Klickitat County (dating to about 2002) and said the city recently met with county commissioners to review that agreement. If the JOA is revised to create a separate operating entity for the airport similar to a previously created regional utility (a model staff compared to the Q Life fiber utility), the city plans to shift some services to a contractual basis rather than internal interfund transfers; that change is reflected in this budget as increased contractual services and an administrative reclassification.
Airport capital highlights discussed: a Connect Oregon grant-backed construction of about 20 new T-hangars expected to generate roughly $100,000 in annual revenue when completed, a new fuel tank and emergency generator funded by Oregon airport relief grants (state programs), and an ongoing master plan update. Staff told the committee they expect to advertise T-hangar construction bids within a month and noted favorable equipment surpluses from Boeing Field for airport operations (snowplows, brooms) that could reduce equipment purchases.
Committee members asked about increases in audit costs (attributed to grant complexity) and whether a long-term lease with Oregon Department of Forestry (DNR) will continue; airport staff said DNR has a five-year lease for office and helicopter support facilities and that aerial firefighting assets are likely to remain at the airport indefinitely unless operational needs change.
