Hangar owners press County for transparency as lease item is delayed until October

The Clark County Commission on Sept. 2 granted a staff request to hold agenda Item 31—relating to hangar leases at North Las Vegas Airport—until Oct. 7 to allow further negotiations with hangar owners and the Department of Aviation. The pause followed several public speakers representing hangar owners who asked for time to work with airport leadership and incoming administration.

Tom Morley of GP Partnerships thanked the commission and the Department of Aviation for holding Item 31 so stakeholders and hangar owners could "work out some concerns." Attorney Jeffrey Lustick, who said he represents more than 300 hangar members, said the pause "gives us time to work directly with airport leaders" and called for transparency on lease renewals, fee structures, airport access and communications.

Why it matters: Hangar leases, fees and management at the North Las Vegas Airport affect local pilots, flight schools, small aviation businesses and the airport’s ability to accommodate fuel and transient traffic during special events. Several public speakers urged the county to preserve general aviation capacity rather than reconfigure the field to favor private or transient jets.

Public commenters described operational concerns and alleged process problems. Ricky Barlow and David Barber told commissioners of a recent Department of Aviation meeting where attendees were kept outside until the meeting began and where they said press were initially excluded; Barber also urged repurposing 115 acres (formerly set aside for the bear poppy after its federal de‑listing) to support aircraft parking and event jets. William Rodey and Tom Latruda raised specific worries about proposed landing‑fee changes, rate caps and potential privatization moves that could remove long‑term tenants or raise prices sharply; they asked for transparent, published rate schedules and fair consideration of hangar renewals.

Discussion vs. decision: The formal action at the meeting was administrative: the commission approved staff’s request to hold Item 31 until Oct. 7, 2025. No lease changes or rate approvals were adopted on Sept. 2.

Next steps: The item was rescheduled for the Oct. 7 docket so staff, department leadership and hangar representatives can meet and seek a path forward. Multiple speakers asked the county to preserve long‑term hangar tenants and publish any proposed fee schedule before taking final action.