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Fire authority approves amended $1-per-year lease with Big Bear Airport for air ambulance base
Summary
The Big Bear Fire Authority approved an amended and restated lease with the Big Bear Airport District that continues a $1 annual rent for the Air Methods helicopter base and caps maintenance contributions at $30,000.
The Big Bear Fire Authority voted Aug. 12 to approve an amended and restated lease with the Big Bear Airport District to keep Air Methods’ helicopter base on airport property.
Chief Wagner told the board that the original lease dated to 2017 and that staff and the airport’s general manager negotiated only modest changes. The lease continues a nominal rent of $1 per year and includes a maintenance contribution the authority had paid historically of $800 per month (about $9,600 per year) with a new cap that stops contributions once maintenance expenses reach $30,000.
During discussion a director asked whether the agreement included a cash rent; Chief Wagner confirmed the $1 rent. No public speakers raised objection during the agenda item. A motion to approve the lease was moved and seconded; the board approved the measure by roll-call vote.
Why this matters: the lease preserves in-place air medical transport capability in Big Bear Valley by maintaining the base used by the air ambulance service. The maintenance-cap cap limits the authority’s long-term exposure to rising upkeep costs while preserving the arrangement that supports on-scene air medical response.
Vote and implementation
The board approved the lease by roll call. Staff were directed to finalize the lease with the airport and continue coordination with the air medical provider.
Clarifying details
- Historical rent: $1 per year (nominal). - Maintenance contribution: previously $800 per month (~$9,600 annually); lease adds a stop-loss cap at $30,000 total maintenance contributions.
Proper names and authorities
The agreement is between the Big Bear Fire Authority and the Big Bear Airport District and affects the Air Methods air medical transport base. The lease is a contract between those agencies.
Ending
Board members approved the amended lease during the Aug. 12 meeting; staff will execute the agreement and monitor maintenance costs under the new cap.
