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Board updates airport contracts, approves manager pay and temporary farm leases
Summary
The Gratiot County Board updated airport operations agreements, approved a new airport manager salary retroactive to the fiscal year start, and authorized short-term farm leases pending public bids next year.
The Gratiot County Board of Commissioners conducted its airport meeting as part of the regular session and approved several operational contracts, a salary adjustment for the airport manager and short-term farm leases for airport property.
Snow removal and mowing: The board voted to award a seasonal snow‑removal contract to 3 Point Aviation for $35,000 per season (payments structured in installments). The board also approved a mowing agreement for $10,775 per season and agreed the amount would be reduced by $1,300 annually if the airport acquires replacement mowers through a capital purchase. Commissioners discussed that new mowers would be addressed in the county capital improvement planning process.
Airport manager contract: Commissioners approved a new manager contract setting annual compensation at $32,400 (monthly payments of $2,700) and directed finance to process retroactive pay to the beginning of the current fiscal year. Board members described the change as an update to a contract that had remained at prior levels since 2013 and said the manager has carried out a range of operational duties.
Farm leases: The board approved one‑year farm-lease agreements for airport property to preserve continuity while the county prepares a public bid for longer-term leases in 2026. Stone Fence Organics will lease 25 acres at $49 per acre ($6,125), and Grafton Farms will lease approximately 86 acres at $35 per acre ($3,010). Commissioners said they would advertise the next round of farm leases for broader competition in the following year.
Why it matters: The airport approvals commit county funds for operations that affect aviation users and local contractors, and the retroactive manager pay requires a finance adjustment. Approving short-term leases preserves revenue while allowing the county to prepare an RFP for future longer-term arrangements.
Ending: Staff will process contracts, add the mower purchase to the capital improvement plan for later consideration, and prepare public bid documents for the 2026 growing season.
