Council authorizes city manager to negotiate interlocal with Jim Wells County for Alice International Airport

The City Council authorized the city manager to negotiate final terms of an interlocal agreement with Jim Wells County for the operation and maintenance of the Alice International Airport.

City staff said the county’s commissioner’s court agreed in principle to pay airport expenses and that the city and county jointly own the airport, but the parties still needed a negotiated interlocal to document cost-sharing and other terms. The speaker said the city has been covering operating expenses for several years and described ongoing cost-sharing for grant-matching funds, while operating costs remained largely a city responsibility.

Councilmember Jackson asked whether sole ownership by the city would produce financial benefit. Staff replied that operating revenues — fuel sales, ramp fees, tie-down fees and hangar rentals — would generate income if the city operated and retained those revenues, but the airport also relies on federal and state entitlements. Staff outlined that the airport receives nonprimary entitlement (NPE) funds and airport maintenance program funds, noting figures discussed at the meeting of approximately $110 in airport maintenance program funds and $1.50 in ramp-related funds (numbers cited in meeting for program references). Staff also said nonprimary entitlement funds come via the FAA through the Texas Department of Transportation, and those funds can be banked for larger projects.

Council approved a motion permitting the city manager to finalize negotiations for council approval of the interlocal agreement. Staff said additional negotiation points include timeframes and whether the county would reimburse past operating expenses the city has paid.