County receives airport concessions policy draft; runway work will pause flights until early September

Victoria County officials received a draft airport-concessions disadvantaged business enterprise (ACDBE) objective and policy statement for Victoria Regional Airport and heard an update on runway rehabilitation that will temporarily change flight schedules.

Lenny, airport staff, told the Commissioners Court that as Victoria Regional Airport grows as a primary commercial airport it must comply with federal rules (cited by staff as Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations and relevant Transportation Code requirements) and prepare an airport concessions DBE policy even though the airport currently has no concessions like restaurants or retail. Lenny said the ACDBE paperwork is open for public review and will be available on the airport website when the full package is complete.

During the same agenda item Lenny updated the court on runway rehabilitation work. He said the runway closed on Aug. 4 and that current schedules show a return to the normal flight schedule on Sept. 5, when the afternoon "turn" flight is expected to resume. Lenny said the contractor plans to begin construction the coming Monday following a kickoff meeting; he added that if the contractor finishes early the airline schedule could be difficult to change because airline flight schedules are produced months in advance.

Commissioners moved to receive the ACDBE draft and accepted the operational update; the court recorded the motion as approved. No formal procurement action or concession agreements were approved at the meeting.

Staff said the ACDBE requirement flows from federal regulations governing primary commercial airports; the policy draft is intended to set objectives for disadvantaged-business participation in concessions should the airport later add restaurants, shops or car rentals.