Airport director proposes CPI rent and fee adjustments, seeks FAA discretionary funds and $263,000 design work order

Don Rowlett, Airport Director, told the board the airport’s Appendix K property rates are being updated under the annual CPI process and that the evaluation produced a 2.2% increase in hangar and terminal rents. Proposed changes include raising outside‑fence ground lease rates from $660 to $700 per acre and inside‑fence rates from $330 to $365 per acre; service fees would generally increase between $5 and $15 depending on the line item, Rowlett said.

Grant and construction items: Rowlett also requested authorization to apply for and accept a $140,220 discretionary FAA grant to help pay site preparation costs for a south‑ramp hangar project; the airport previously received Arkansas Division of Aeronautics (ADA) grants for the hangar structure and site prep with 90/10 and 80/20 cost shares described in his presentation. Separately, Rowlett presented Work Order No. 19A10993‑1 to Garver LLC for design and administration of an exterior terminal renovation in the amount of $263,000; the work order payment was described as contingent on federal grant timing and a temporary FAA grant freeze status.

Occupancy and process: Rowlett reported near full occupancy of hangar space with a waiting list and said he will provide a highlighted version of Appendix K showing changes for the board packet. He asked the board to approve the resolution updates and the grant/contract applications at the Feb. 18 meeting.

Ending: The board was told these items would come back for formal action at the upcoming business meeting; the Garver work order is contingent on grant availability and federal procedures.