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Council reviews airport expansion funding, FAA grant opportunity and property purchases for taxiway project
Summary
Staff outlined a multi‑phase airport plan including property acquisition to meet FAA runway‑safety requirements and a taxiway project supported by federal funds; council members discussed matching city funds, timing and how fund balances will be managed if FAA grants are awarded.
City staff briefed the council on several airport capital items on May 27, including property acquisition for the runway safety area, taxiway kilo and lease‑lot utility extensions tied to an FAA airport improvement program (AIP) grant opportunity.
Staff said the airport master plan work will be complete in the fall and that near‑term actions include property acquisition for runway safety area requirements. The city has used state funds and some previously held monies to acquire roughly 60% of the required property; staff said an additional $1.5 million appropriation would complete runway safety area purchases and help the airport achieve eligibility for a larger federal program tied to taxiway construction.
The taxiway kilo project is a multi‑million‑dollar project that the FAA may fund substantially; staff said the total project cost is projected at $13 million with the city’s local share around $4.1 million and FAA covering the remainder. Council members and staff discussed the financing mechanics: if FAA grant funds are accepted and awarded, the city’s appropriation will be recorded but internal transfers and fund management mean funds will remain in high‑interest accounts until spent; staff confirmed money appropriated for projects would not necessarily be drawn down until required for project invoices.
Council members asked about contingency and what would happen if FAA funds did not materialize. Staff said unspent appropriation would return to committed fund balances for capital projects. The council agreed to keep the airport CIP lines in the FY26 budget and requested the administration provide full master‑plan materials and a project timeline in advance of final budget adoption.
