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Airport manager asks to split $22,000 pole-replacement estimate to restore beacon at Riddick Field
Summary
Donovan Jones, Riddick Field airport manager, told the Granite County Commission Jan. 28 that overhead power poles feeding hangars are in poor condition and asked Northwestern Energy to split a $22,000 estimate into phases so a temporary service can power a new beacon.
Donovan Jones, Riddick Field airport manager, briefed the Granite County Commission Jan. 28 about deteriorating overhead power poles that feed airport hangars and requested the county have Northwestern Energy split a roughly $22,000 estimate into discrete phases so the county can install a temporary service and restore the airport beacon.
Jones told commissioners that overhead poles and lines are not typical where airplane and helicopter activity occurs, and that one pole near the hangars “is leaning pretty excessively” while another is leaning against a hangar. He said the preferred long-term solution is underground conversion tied to a new beacon location and a 400‑amp service at the northeast corner of the airport property.
“We just need to get power to the new beacon,” Jones said. He said the beacon has been down for more than a year and the airport is scheduled to receive a new tower next week; restoring power would allow installation of the beacon.
Jones said the airport had a state grant for the beacon—approximately $65,000—and that some remaining grant funds might be applied to the electrical service. The county’s airport cash reserve was discussed; county staff indicated they would try to split the work across fiscal years to lower the immediate budget impact.
Jones said staff had surveyed the airport and prepared a DNRC easement application for the underground service from the last pole to the new beacon and entrance. He asked Northwestern Energy to provide a phased proposal: a near-term phase to provide a temporary service for the beacon, and a later phase to pay for removal of overhead lines and completion of the underground service.
Commissioners and staff discussed phasing the work across the current and next fiscal years if necessary. No formal vote was taken; Jones said he would ask Northwestern Energy to provide a detailed two‑phase estimate and an executable proposal to present back to the commission.
Public comment during the item asked that the proposed site plan and DNRC application be attached to the meeting packet; Jones and staff said they would make those documents available for review before the commission signs any contract.
What happens next: airport staff will ask Northwestern Energy for a phased cost breakdown and return with a contract or work order. The commission indicated a preference for splitting any county-funded portion across fiscal years if timelines and grant rules allow.
