Benton County approves airport equipment grant and $50,000 fuel appropriation after manager details operations

BENTON COUNTY — Commissioners approved two airport‑related appropriations and an appointment tied to airport governance after an extended briefing from the airport manager on equipment needs, safety, and recent fuel sales growth.

The commission approved a county share of $20,000 for an $80,000 airport grounds maintenance grant, which the airport manager said will buy equipment including a side‑by‑side utility vehicle, a stand‑on blower, a spray system and a backup zero‑turn mower. "We are currently doing that from a personal vehicle, which is impossible to do to safely evaluate the runway," the manager told the commission, describing how the side‑by‑side will improve runway inspections and perimeter work.

Commissioners then approved a $50,000 appropriation to address an aviation fuel shortfall. The airport manager described sharp increases in fuel sales over the last two fiscal years and said the county earns roughly $0.80 per gallon on fuel sales. She told commissioners that sales rose from 9,218 gallons in fiscal year 2022–23 to 17,897 gallons in 2023–24 and 28,204 gallons year‑to‑date in the current fiscal year. Those volumes, she said, support a program in which the county temporarily borrows funds to purchase bulk fuel and is reimbursed as fuel sells.

The commission also approved the appointment of Johnny Belisle to the Benton County Airport Board to fill an unexpired term. The airport manager said she provides monthly operational reports to the airport board and that commission members may request copies of board minutes and reports.

Why it matters: Commissioners asked for more detailed, itemized reporting on fuel purchases, truck rental costs and margins. One commissioner said the public sees outgoing appropriations on the commission docket but not the offsetting deposits from fuel sales; the airport manager said monthly reports and airport board minutes are available and will be distributed to the commission.

The votes: The ground‑maintenance grant and the $50,000 fuel appropriation were approved following staff presentations and discussion. The appointment to the airport board carried after commissioners were told the nominee was present in the audience.

What’s next: The airport manager said she will retain some unallocated grant funds until final needs are confirmed with TDOT and will return unused grant funds to the county. Commissioners asked for continued itemized reporting of fuel activity and airport board minutes to be added to commission packets.