Kirk Newaker, the airport director, told the Llano City Council the city’s municipal airport has seen increasing activity and that staff are pursuing a mix of revenue, tenant outreach and facility improvements.

Newaker said the airport remains competitively priced for avgas and jet fuel, is working to benchmark hangar rates across Central Texas, and is exploring expanded after‑hours fuel service for military and other customers, noting staffing, safety and overtime cost questions that would need mitigation if pursued. “There are certain things that we need to figure out and look at … safety, availability, cost potential overtime situations when it comes to staffing,” Newaker said.

He described marketing and community outreach used to boost visits and local spending — including social media (Facebook and Instagram, using the handle/hashtag I fly Llano), a young‑eagles event that flew about 40 children last year and a Christmas photo day that drew roughly 200 people. Newaker said the airport held a first annual airshow, “Wings, Wheels and Wine,” and plans a second show Nov. 8 that could include a flying B‑25 and fireworks/pyro components.

Newaker told council he has been discussing grant and planning options with TxDOT and the Federal Aviation Administration and that preliminary conversations suggest the airport may be able to access “somewhere upwards of around $700,000” for development. He said the city will pursue an updated airport layout plan (ALP) and that TxDOT recommends updating any ALP last done before 2013; the council and staff discussed making an ALP attainable and staged over multiple years.

On facility work, Newaker said ramp funds would be targeted to hangar maintenance and taxiway/ramp repairs after recent runway work. He described strong demand for hangar space — a waiting list he estimated at 20–30 names, which he said likely represents a three‑ to five‑year wait — and proposed building low‑overhead shade hangars as recurring revenue. “Sunshade hangars have a very low overhead, relatively easy to build, but yet every single month, it’s a revenue generator for the airport,” he said.

Newaker flagged contractor and insurance constraints for hangar repairs; he said several proposed contractors could not obtain required insurance or bonding, which has delayed repairs to hanger doors and other maintenance. He also said staff are working to formalize vehicle‑storage and long‑term storage agreements and that additional courtesy cars recently secured from local businesses will help visiting pilots access town businesses.

Council members and staff asked questions about competition with nearby airports, the timeline for grant funds and the status of the airport advisory board. Newaker said he is trying to reconvene the airport advisory board, send regular tenant updates, and involve tenants in future planning. No motion or formal action was taken on the airport update during the meeting.

The presentation included specific program and process items that will require further council direction and staff work, including confirmation of any grant awards, contract procurement for hangar work, and formalizing after‑hours fuel procedures if pursued.