Sheridan County commissioners approve airport lease and property purchase, appoint preservation commissioner and delay Penrose Lane appraiser appointments

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners on March 4 approved a lease award for two lots at the Sheridan County Airport Business Park to Mayflower Aviation LLC, authorized purchase of 130 South Brook Street, appointed Emerson Scott to the Sheridan County Historic Preservation Commission and tabled appointment of appraisers in the Penrose Lane county-road proceeding until after May 1.

The airport action followed a recommendation from Robert Gill, Sheridan County airport manager, who told the commission the airport received a single proposal in response to a Dec. 19, 2024 request for proposals and that the Mayflower Aviation plan “aligns with both the Sheridan County Airport master plan and airport layout plan.” Gill said the proposal intends to construct an aircraft hangar for private use with additional aircraft storage, office and shop space, and that lease negotiations would clarify whether storage would be long-term sublease space or transient aircraft storage requiring a specialized aviation service operator agreement.

Commissioners asked about so-called pilot apartments or sleeping quarters. Gill said, “I haven't discussed that with them, but when we get into the lease details, I was going to clarify that that's something that's not permissible that we want to allow.” The commission voted to approve and consent to the award of lease to Mayflower Aviation LLC.

The board also approved an agreement to purchase real estate at 130 South Brook Street after Cameron Duff, administrative director, said the sellers — Gary and Marcia McCoy — first offered the property at $575,000 and subsequently accepted $550,000 after the county obtained a market appraisal. Duff said the location’s proximity to the courthouse motivated the purchase and commissioners agreed the site could be useful for county offices, including potential space for public defenders whose current lease is due to expire in a year or two.

On appointments, commissioners moved to appoint Emerson Scott to fill an unexpired term on the Sheridan County Historic Preservation Commission through June 30, 2025. A commissioner who said they had served as liaison to the preservation commission noted both interviewed candidates were “very highly qualified” but supported Scott to bring a new perspective to the panel.

The board heard an extended discussion on the proposed establishment of Penrose County Road (commonly referred to in the meeting as Penrose Lane). Ken Mueller, county engineer, told the commissioners that landowners had filed objections and damage claims and that state statute requires the board to appoint three unbiased appraisers to evaluate claims. Mueller and the county attorney warned that existing snow and vegetative cover would make on-site appraisals unreliable now and would start the statute’s 30-day appraisal clock under unfavorable conditions. The county attorney advised keeping the process on the public statutory timeline while acknowledging the board could adjust the route or otherwise change plans later.

Resident John Maludich told the board he has lived on Penrose Lane for 47 years and urged the county to “work with the property owners and the residents of Penrose Lane to work towards a solution that would be agreeable to everybody,” saying residents were not opposed to public access but objected to some methods used to acquire the road.

Commissioners voted to table appointment of appraisers in the Penrose Lane matter until the meeting following May 1, 2025; an amendment setting the date to May 1 was proposed and approved before the main motion passed. The county attorney and engineer said appraisers, once appointed, would have 30 days to prepare their reports under the statute cited during the discussion.

Finally, the board approved a standing sign-in sheet at the meeting entrance so the chair can know ahead of time if members of the public intend to address items on the agenda.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the consent agenda; approved the published meeting agenda; appointed Emerson Scott to the Historic Preservation Commission (term through June 30, 2025); approved and consented to the award of lease to Mayflower Aviation LLC for lots LA 7 and LA 8 at the Sheridan County Airport Business Park Phase 1; authorized the chairman to sign the agreement for warranty deed purchase of 130 South Brook Street at an agreed price of $550,000; tabled appointment of appraisers in the establishment of Penrose County Road until the meeting following May 1, 2025; and adopted a sign-up sheet procedure for public comment at meetings.

The actions carry operational next steps: staff will begin lease negotiations with Mayflower Aviation, negotiate the purchase and closing for 130 South Brook Street, and return the Penrose Lane appraisers appointment to the agenda after May 1 to commence the statutorily prescribed appraisal process.