Nampa airport staff present revenue gains, terminal remodel plan and proposed rate increases

Krystal Craig, director of transportation, presented the airport division’s year‑to‑date accomplishments and capital requests, saying Nampa’s general aviation airport generates significant economic output and is largely meeting customer expectations.

“The mission of the airport is to become a destination airport in the Northwest,” Craig said, describing the airport as a general aviation facility established by council in 1928 and primarily serving local and transient aviation customers.

Craig reported FY 2025 revenue of about $715,000 from land leases and city rental hangars, and projected FY 2026 revenue of roughly $750,000 based primarily on planned rate increases and potential new hangar development. Staff increased land‑lease rates by 4.3% for FY25 and plan to request a CPI‑based 2.8% increase for FY26; city‑owned T‑hangar rates rose in FY25 and are proposed to increase 3.2–4.9% for FY26 depending on hangar type. Craig said even with planned increases, Nampa’s land‑lease rate would remain about 1.8% lower than the nearest general aviation airport in Caldwell and T‑hangar rates would be comparable to Boise’s.

Craig flagged capital needs and grants: three FAA grants were awarded this year; staff are constructing an AWOS hangar and completing an assessment of city‑owned hangars. Major capital items expected in the upcoming budget include HVAC replacements, pavement rehabilitation for non‑FAA‑eligible areas, and a terminal building remodel. Craig said the terminal is “past end of life,” not ADA compliant in its current configuration, has HVAC and rot issues, and lacks adequate ingress/egress. Council staff said the initial project estimate for a terminal replacement is about $2.5 million and would likely require general‑fund contribution.

Council members asked whether the airport owns the underlying land for modified leaseholds (yes; the city charges a modified leasehold rate) and about constraints to runway expansion. Craig said the airport is constrained by adjacent roads and would need major property changes or road closures to add runway length.

Craig also described a reclassification that added an operations lead position from a prior business manager role, producing about $32,000 in annual savings while adding operations capacity. She noted a three‑year wait list for T‑hangars and said staff are balancing competitive rates with customers’ preference for low fees.

Airport staff will bring formal rate proposals and specific capital requests through the budget and, where required, public‑hearing processes.