Warren County committee approves $221,898 apron design, hears solar‑panel and FAA inspection updates

The Warren County Facilities Committee approved the design phase for the reconstruction of the northern aircraft apron and Taxiway B at the county airport during its May 20 meeting; committee members also received updates about a nearby solar-panel installation that could briefly affect runway operations and an upcoming Federal Aviation Administration inspection in June.

The apron and taxiway project, identified in committee materials as capital project H-443, has a total design-phase cost of $221,898 and is funded largely by the FAA. "The total cost of this project is $221,898," said Mr. Mapp. Committee materials indicated the design phase is funded at 95% by the FAA, with a 2.5% local match and a 2.5% state match; a committee member corrected an earlier sheet that listed the FAA share as 90 percent.

Why it matters: the apron and taxiway provide aircraft access between the jet hangars and Runway 11 Niner; deterioration in that area prompted the reconstruction design. Because the project uses federal funding and affects airfield pavement that links to runway operations, the county is coordinating timing and compliance with federal inspectors.

During the discussion, Mr. Mapp described the apron as "the area directly in front of the jet hangars, which is getting to deteriorate" and confirmed the committee was voting on the design phase only. A motion to approve the design phase was moved and seconded during the meeting and carried by voice vote with no opposition or abstentions recorded.

Committee members also heard an update on a solar farm project adjacent to the airport. Mr. Mapp said crews are expected to install solar panels on May 27 and May 28 using a 60-foot crane on the southern area of the field, which he said is "directly in line with the approach path." He said he has been in contact with the FAA and that the FAA would publish a notice; if staff determine clearance is insufficient, the runway could be closed for a brief period during construction. "We're encouraging all pilots to check their note times while they're making plans and operations during those times, please," Mr. Mapp said.

The committee was also told that the airport's annual FAA Part 139 inspection is scheduled for June 16 and June 18. Chairman Bruno said staff are arranging for the inspector's visit and that runway remarking is the major task to be completed before the inspection; according to staff, a contractor identified in the record as Highlight is scheduled to perform remarking on June 9, weather permitting. Mr. Mapp said remarking has not yet been done this year and that completing it before the inspection may be the biggest hurdle.

On planning and oversight, committee members discussed an airport tour for supervisors and the status of a master plan advisory group. Chairman Bruno and staff said they will offer a tour of the airport for supervisors within the next several months and will circulate date options by email. Staff also said they had received a first draft of the airport master plan inventory and expect the advisory group to begin substantive discussions on mission and long-term uses, with an initial meeting potentially in late July.

Next steps identified during the meeting include staff finalizing design-phase paperwork for capital project H-443, confirming safety clearances and any necessary short-term runway closures for the solar-panel crane operations, completing runway remarking by June 9 if weather allows, and scheduling the airport tour and the first master plan advisory meeting. The committee adjourned after those items were addressed.