Commission pushes for Dutch John runway repairs, staff recommends local airport manager

Daggett County staff and commissioners discussed the deteriorating surface at Dutch John Airport and the possibility of naming a local airport manager during the Sept. 2 Daggett County Commission meeting.

Staff member Kent Bond told commissioners he is “still really pushing hard on getting that done this year” in reference to crack seal work at the airport and said he had been told the state inspects every five years. Bond also recommended a local pilot, Bob McCall, as a candidate to serve as airport manager at Dutch John and said he would arrange for McCall to meet county staff and commissioners.

The issue matters because county staff said the runway’s condition will worsen without action and that state scheduling may limit how quickly repairs occur. Bond asked the commission to put pressure on state officials to inspect and perform crack sealing this year, arguing the runway’s condition could leave the county with “nothing next year” if repairs are delayed.

Bond said he has flown at the local airports for years and that McCall, who lives in Dutch John part of the year, “probably knows everybody at the airport” and would be willing to come to a commission meeting to discuss serving as airport manager. Commissioners agreed it would be appropriate to invite the candidate and to coordinate with county staff — no formal motion or vote on the appointment was taken during the meeting.

Commissioners and staff also discussed coordinating a meeting with regional airport officials in Vernal and other stakeholders. County officials emphasized that some airport maintenance tasks depend on state scheduling and approvals, and they said they will continue to press for inspection and maintenance this calendar year.

The discussion concluded with county staff planning to follow up by inviting McCall to meet with staff and commissioners and to pursue confirmation of the state’s inspection schedule and next-available maintenance window.