Victoria County Commissioners Court on June 2 approved an $835,143.50 contract with Centurion Planning and Design to complete a 30% design for rehabilitation of Runway 13/31 and associated taxiway improvements at the Victoria Regional Airport and were told a taxi project could require a temporary runway closure that may disrupt SkyWest Airlines service for two to four weeks this summer.

The county judge and commissioners said the contract price has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. County staff told the court that parking-lot work at the airport has gone to bid and that bids are expected in mid-June. During citizens communication, airport staff warned the public that construction tied to the taxi project could force a runway closure around July and that the county is coordinating with SkyWest to limit disruption.

The runway design contract was presented by airport staff and approved by a unanimous vote. County documents presented at the meeting list the contract amount as $835,143.50 for the 30% design milestone; commissioners did not modify that figure on the floor. Airport staff said the design is an FAA-approved scope and the county can proceed to design work now that the contract is in place.

Commissioners also ratified an updated employment agreement for the Victoria Regional Airport executive director that removes a phrase referencing the Victoria County Regional Emergency Operations Complex (VC REOC) at airport property. The court said the change was made to avoid any misunderstanding with the Texas Division of Emergency Management about which office has oversight of the VC REOC; the court stated the project remains under the direction of the county's emergency management coordinator.

Airport staff described the possible temporary closure as part of the county's ongoing airport improvement projects and said they are working with the construction contractor and SkyWest Airlines to minimize passenger disruptions. No formal vote was required for the construction schedule announcement; the runway design contract and the ratified employment agreement were the formal actions taken.

Officials asked staff to continue coordinating with federal and airline partners, notify the public if firm closure dates are set, and bring any schedule changes back to the court if formal action becomes necessary.

The court approved the contract and ratified the employment agreement by voice vote; no roll-call dissent was recorded.

Looking ahead, county staff said design work will continue under Centurion's contract, parking improvements will proceed pending bids, and the county will provide public notice in coordination with SkyWest if the runway closure dates are finalized.