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Board reviews five‑year CIP, project updates and AWOS replacement; AWOS grant approved by BOCC
Summary
Staff reviewed the five‑year capital improvement plan and operating budget, highlighting Crystal River runway extension funding, obstruction clearance, hangar vacancies and plans to replace aging AWOS equipment; board and FBOs discussed budget allocation and maintenance needs; the BOCC approved an AWOS replacement grant that will proceed to FDOT.
Todd Regan, Citrus County aviation project manager, presented the five‑year capital improvement plan (CIP) and a draft operating budget for the county airports, noting carry‑forward items and multi‑year funding for projects including Crystal River runway extension, environmental assessments, obstruction clearing at Inverness and hangar construction.
Board members asked for clarification about specific CIP entries. Regan said the Crystal River runway extension line includes design, construction and environmental assessment money and that the county is putting funds aside for obstruction removal at Inverness in anticipation of clearing tree and obstacle issues. Regan told the board that the CIP and operating budgets may shift annually as projects are prioritized.
James Chen, a representative of Crystal Aero Group, asked whether taxiway and runway lighting maintenance was included and said the FBO was exploring FDOT grant support. Chen described aging lights and sought better reliability through newer components. Regan said staff is cataloging equipment that needs replacement and working to establish a preventive maintenance schedule; he said some larger items would be moved into the CIP while smaller replacements could be handled in the operating budget.
The board discussed AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) replacement. Regan reported that the Board of County Commissioners approved the AWOS replacement on the county side and that the award would return to FDOT for final signature and work authorization; Regan estimated installation could be completed by the summer once paperwork and authorizations are complete.
Other items discussed included: fuel‑tank replacement for Crystal River (procurement due to be awarded to BOCC in March), three grants referenced in the packet (an AEGIS grant from FDOT, a master‑plan grant and the AWOS grant), progress on corporate hangar lease terms and the county’s disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) goal‑setting process, which Daniel Ossie of Infrastructure Consulting Engineering explained as a federally‑mandated program that sets DBE goals by service area and project for FAA/FDOT grants.
Board members asked staff to maintain and report an ongoing maintenance log of aging equipment and to keep the advisory board apprised as replacements occur.
