The county airport’s runway reconstruction was substantially finished July 10 after crews completed the work in about 35 days, County staff reported, well ahead of an initial plan that anticipated up to two months of closure. The airport manager said the accelerated completion was “a real testament to our engineers, contractors,” and favorable weather. The airport will next undergo grooving and night-time repainting that county staff expect could take about a week, with floodlights and temporary generators used to support the work.

Why it matters: grooving and repainting are needed to restore pavement friction and markings after a mill-and-overlay-style project, but performing those tasks overnight creates temporary lighting and noise impacts that neighbors may notice. The county is notifying the public and managers say they are monitoring the schedule and weather that could further delay work.

The airport manager, identified in the meeting transcript as Mr. Leslie, told the committee that grooving typically occurs at night and “it might take approximately a week,” and that painting will follow, also at night, requiring floodlights and generators on site. He said initial contractor estimates had predicted three to four days for the grooving and painting work but that schedules were pushed out to allow for weather. Staff said they had not yet finalized exact start and completion dates for the night work.

Airport operations and community events continued while the runway work proceeded. Staff reported steady mowing and use of airport facilities; the Civil Air Patrol hosted a pancake breakfast over the weekend that staff estimated served about 400–500 attendees. The county also plans Young Eagles flights in late August and staff said they will attach and circulate the event flyer when available.

The manager also noted planned terminal-building exterior repairs being evaluated by contractors; staff said the work is under review and outside the airport manager’s direct purview. Finally, staff reported that an item to amend the fixed-base operator (FBO) contract — a separate procurement and governance matter — is expected to be brought to the Public Works Committee next month for discussion and possible committee-level recommendation to the full county board.

County next steps: staff will finalize a detailed schedule for grooving and painting, notify nearby residents of likely timing and lighting, and return to the Committee with any changes or complaints. The committee scheduled a county road tour for the following week; the airport manager said he will add the Young Eagles schedule and event flyer to his next monthly report.