Several local pilots and independent flight instructors urged the Board of Supervisors to pause newly proposed hangar rent increases and to address what they called long-standing maintenance shortfalls at county-owned airports.

Speakers said increases announced in a mailed county notice would raise some rents retroactively by as much as 28–35 percent and add an electricity fee. Tenants said hangar rent already makes up more than 45 percent of some operators’ annual budgets and that those hikes—combined with persistent maintenance problems—would threaten flight instruction and general-aviation activity in Humboldt County.

Major complaints from multiple speakers included:
- Broken hangar doors and gate mechanisms that have not been repaired for years, forcing tenants to manually lift doors.
- A lack of routine maintenance on hangars and ramps; standing water inside several hangars attributable to repaving that was graded too high.
- The 2020 airport rate study that produced recommended rent increases included utilities in the rate and compared Humboldt airports to full-service fixed-base operators; speakers argued those comparables are not valid after the departure of a full-service flight school in 2020.
- Requests that the board pause the proposed increases pending a public discussion and a more careful review of maintenance levels and comparables.

Pilots asked the board to (a) delay implementation of the new rents, (b) provide clearer contact routes so tenants can resolve billing or maintenance disputes, and (c) inspect and prioritize repairs to hangar doors, gates and roofs. Several pilots said they were willing to meet with county staff to show specific problems and provide repair estimates.

County response and next steps: Supervisors acknowledged the concerns and asked tenants to provide contact information and documentation to the board and to county staff; staff said the departments involved will follow up. No formal motion was made at the meeting to pause the increases; the board suggested staff-level outreach and follow-up with airport tenants and the Airport Advisory Committee.

Context: The complaints came during public comment and a later agenda item on airports was not on the same day’s scheduled action items. County officials noted that many airport maintenance projects are funded through FAA grants and that local airport management and advisory boards also have roles in prioritizing capital work and maintenance.