The McPherson County Board of County Commissioners on July 21 authorized county officials to sign an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation, the city of McPherson and the McPherson Airport Authority to design and construct a replacement fuel farm at McPherson Airport.

Cynthia Peterson, McPherson Airport manager, presented the project and asked commissioners to sign the grant and design documents. Peterson said the governor has confirmed funds for the project and that the amounts in the phase-one documents match earlier estimates. She noted the contractor selected has agreed to the current price and that the project start is projected for fall 2026. "'26 is what they're predicting," Peterson said when asked about start timing.

The board approved a motion authorizing the county's signatures on the agreement and included a condition that if subrecipient costs (participating or nonparticipating) exceed the requested amounts, those excess costs would come from future appropriations. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Peterson discussed operational concerns about the existing fuel system and said filters and procedures were preventing major contamination but that periodic rain-related issues continue; the project is intended to address long-term reliability. Commissioners asked for clarification about frequency of maintenance and the number of annual inspections; Peterson said routine service is generally twice a year and that a design is needed to complete the grant documents.

Ending: The agreement was signed by the board as authorized and county staff recorded the motion to authorize signatures; the board did not change the dollar amounts in the packet and approved the clause that excess costs be paid from future appropriations if necessary.