Taos council accepts $401,568 grant package for Taos Regional Airport taxiway rehab; FAA pass-through explained
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Summary
Council approved Resolution 25-27 to accept a $401,568 airport pavement maintenance grant; staff explained the award is a pass-through from FAA via the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division and outlined state/federal/local shares.
The Taos City Council voted to accept grant funding for the Taxiway A rehabilitation/pavement maintenance project at Taos Regional Airport by approving Resolution 25-27. The resolution accepts a total project amount of $401,568 and identifies funding sources that include Federal Aviation Administration pass-through funds, the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division and a small town match.
During discussion Councilors raised questions about where the FAA funds appear in the resolution and how the pass-through works. Manager Martinez and staff explained that the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division serves as the state pass-through for FAA funds in these appropriations: federal funds are allocated by FAA, routed through NMDOT Aviation Division, then reimbursed to the town after eligible costs are incurred. Staff and legal counsel said the resolution follows prior practice for NMDOT aviation grants, and that the town will not establish a project budget or fund until the FAA agreement arrives.
Staff identified approximate shares discussed in the meeting: roughly $381,000 from FAA pass-through, a state contribution of about $16,063 and a town match of about $4,016 (percentages discussed in the meeting: FAA ~90%, state ~9%, town ~1%). Staff noted the grant agreement includes a termination clause if federal funds are not provided. Councilor questions led staff to confirm the FAA grant agreement will come after the state executes the pass-through and that the resolution as presented is consistent with prior airport grant acceptances.
Nut graf: The council accepted the airport grant resolution to secure state pass-through acceptance now; the federal grant agreement and full project budget will follow when FAA processes the award.
Ending: Staff said they will return the FAA grant agreement and a proposed project budget when the federal paperwork is complete; the resolution acceptance keeps the project moving toward construction once federal funding is confirmed.
