Delaware City seeks state, FAA grants to fund airport fuel tank, paving and lighting upgrades

Public Works Director Bill Ferino told the Delaware City Finance Committee on Aug. 28 that the city will seek state and federal grants to fund a group of airport capital projects, including an application in October for a 20,000‑gallon above‑ground Jet A tank.

“we are going to put an application in October” Ferino said, describing plans to request up to $750,000 in state funding for a 100%‑funded grant to construct an above‑ground Jet A fuel tank and associated containment and security. He said the state recently notified the city of roughly $12,000,000 in potential grant dollars for airport projects, and that the fuel farm item became eligible under that program.

The fuel tank application would be separate from paving already under way at the airport: Ferino said taxi lanes around Hangars D, E and F are under construction this year and that hangar C1/C2 paving appears in next year’s CIP but is “pending funding, through the state.” He added that a maintenance hangar shown in the CIP for 2029 currently carries a $1,300,000 general‑fund line that staff expect could change if outside funding cannot be found.

City officials also described equipment and safety work planned at the field. Ferino highlighted the city’s work to replace an aging runway broom and said a new broom can cost more than $1,000,000 but that staff expect to be able to buy a used unit for about $250,000. He called runway lighting “as critical to the airport as the pavement condition,” listing a $2,600,000 estimated cost to replace runway marker lighting and saying the local share is currently estimated at about $190,000–$193,000.

Much of the presentation emphasized funding uncertainty. Ferino said the city still has some discretionary airport funds but that “projects from really this point forward after this year’s project are largely dependent on successful state and FAA applications.” He said FAA and state programs do not always fund the same items — historically the FAA and state have not paid to relocate existing fuel farms — but that the state’s recent notice opened an opportunity to apply for 100% funding for an above‑ground Jet A installation.

Committee members asked operational questions about tank siting, and Ferino pointed to a large open area at the airport entrance where the above‑ground tank would be sited. City Manager Paul Brake (first name referenced in the meeting) and Ferino also said the city will work with the city’s consultant to prepare plans and be prepared for a rapid construction schedule if the award is received.

Ferino and the committee also discussed a longer‑term governance question for the airport. The committee asked about a possible joint venture with the county, and staff said preliminary conversations have occurred about forming a new airport authority similar to arrangements used by other jurisdictions; staff warned any transfer would require FAA approvals and a multi‑step process.

Ferino said the airport projects are “a high priority” because fuel sales are a primary revenue source for the field, and that staff will pursue any grant or discretionary funding available to avoid using general fund dollars where possible.

Officials did not present a final appropriation or vote on any airport construction in the meeting; projects remain in the CIP or unfunded pending grant awards and further committee action.