Airport manager outlines reimbursable federal grants, anticipates higher insurance costs

Aransas County airport leadership told the Commissioners Court the airport will show larger grant-funded project spending in 2026 as federally reimbursable projects move forward and asked the court to recognize that reimbursable outlays will increase both revenue and expense lines.

The airport manager said the budgeted increase in grant outlays reflects reimbursements the county expects to receive under federal programs, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (BIL) and Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The manager noted the airport will incur upfront expenses that are later reimbursed and that some proposed projects include a potential $1 million construction project for which the county would plan a roughly $100,000 local match if a grant is awarded.

Why it matters: capital projects financed by federal grants will raise both the airport’s grant-outlay line and grant-revenue lines; the manager asked commissioners to view the expenditures in the grant fund together with expected reimbursements. The manager also reported that insurance premiums for airport facilities are expected to increase, and staff adjusted the insurance number in the draft budget accordingly.

Operational note: retail fuel margins and hangar operations were reported as stable; retail fuel price changes would typically raise both fuel cost and revenue. Machinery and equipment line items increased modestly to cover repairs on older mowers and tractors, the manager said.

Next steps: the manager will continue to coordinate grant applications and return with project timelines and confirmed match requirements; commissioners asked staff to monitor insurance rate notices and to provide final numbers for the county insurance allocation.