Delta County and airport advisory board weigh manager hire, consultant briefings and an underground circuit grant from Escanaba

Delta County commissioners on March 4 moved the airport manager hiring process forward, asked for an informational session with outside airport consultants and advisory members, ratified a letter supporting the City of Escanaba’s underground electrical circuit work near the county airport and approved steps to fill a departing airport operations specialist.

Airport advisory board member Will Karn (transcript reference) described outreach by aviation consultants and availability of candidates for the airport manager position. Commissioners and airport advisory members discussed whether to hold a committee‑of‑the‑whole informational “clinic” with consultants such as Michael Jones and Christopher Hopkins for strategic planning and manager assessment. Commissioners agreed such a session would be useful but debated whether it should occur before or after the county hires a new manager.

Administrative updates and grants County Administrator Ashley Young reported that the airport security plan was amended and submitted to the Transportation Security Administration, the airport emergency plan is being updated in response to an FAA compliance letter about water rescue, the PFC (Passenger Facility Charge) audit for fiscal year 2023 has been completed and FAA‑assisted Q1 FY25 numbers were updated. Young said the county and consultant team will meet March 18 to review grant closeouts and progress.

Infrastructure and consultant review The board ratified a letter of support for the City of Escanaba’s application to the Michigan “EGLE resiliency” or related resiliency grant program to replace and reroute a circuit that supplies airport power. Commissioners described the Escanaba project as an initial step that will require further engineering, easement work and coordination; airport advisory members asked about piggybacking internet conduit or other utilities during the trenching.

Personnel actions and schedule Commissioners accepted the resignation of a long‑time airport employee, authorized a thank‑you letter and approved posting and filling the airport operations specialist position, including limited cross‑training if a qualified applicant is available prior to departure. The board also scheduled an additional meeting for March 11 at 8 a.m. to consider hiring‑related actions and to allow the airport advisory board to present a recommendation after their Monday meeting.

Why it matters: The airport is a key county asset for commerce, medevac and tourism, and commissioners said the timing of a manager hire, consultant input and the utility relocation project will shape short‑term operations and long‑term planning.

Ending County staff will present a written proposal from outside consultants for a joint educational session, the airport advisory board will forward its hiring recommendation to the board, and the board will consider an offer to a candidate at the March 11 additional meeting if the advisory board’s recommendation and candidate vetting align.