Airport budget shows hangar roof work, higher fuel sales and fee adjustments taking effect July 1

City finance staff and airport management presented the airportenterprise fund for fiscal 2025-26, telling commissioners the budget is essentially balanced but includes several near-term maintenance projects and fee increases set to take effect July 1.

Finance staff said the airport fund shows higher projected revenues compared with the current fiscal year, driven in part by increased fuel sales and the hanger and land-use rates the commission approved earlier in the month. "We have a balanced budget compared to FY25. We've increased revenues by about $247,000. Fuel sales are higher," a staff presenter said.

Airport staff described necessary capital maintenance on older facilities: replacement of roofs on the 17-series hangars (one structure dates to the 1940s and has its original roof) and new insulation on hangar 38. The manager said repairs have reached a point at which patching leaks can worsen conditions and that a new roof would also address wind-driven door failures. The airport manager also noted work in the FAA Capital Improvement Program (projects listed included a taxiway alpha and a rehab project), but said those projects will be budgeted when firm numbers arrive.

Commissioners asked about the large projected fund balance shown on the airport page (about $27,000,003.80). Finance staff clarified the figure is an enterprise fund balance that includes fixed assets (terminal building, pavement and other capital), not equivalent to cash on hand. Airport staff said when the proposed fee changes were communicated to tenants in February, two tenants complained; otherwise tenants were reported to understand higher operating costs.

No formal budget adoption occurred during the session; staff said they will return with additional budget detail as the fiscal process proceeds.