Lincoln Airport Authority reports on projects, council approves tax levy request; authority links levy to new Breeze service

The Lincoln City Council on Aug. 11 approved a tax levy request from the Lincoln Airport Authority by a 6‑0 vote after Airport board representatives updated council on 2025 accomplishments and proposed 2026 uses for nonbond operational levy revenue.

Chris Hove, board chairman, and Airport staff outlined projects funded by recent non‑bond levy revenue including demolition of a condemned building, purchasing recovery equipment for aircraft off‑runway incidents, terminal ramp repair design and equipment purchases such as a runway broom and a new police cruiser. Jerry Winkelman, the authority’s finance director, said the levy also funded air‑service development; Airport leaders said the levy’s funding was central to recruiting Breeze Airways as a partner.

Airport planning director Chad Lay described several 2026 projects proposed for levy revenue: reconstruction of the airport GIS system, taxi‑lane and shared infrastructure work in the general‑aviation area (as matching funds for federal grants), emergency water‑crossing repairs under service roads, and rehabilitation of pavement on roads in the Airpark industrial area. Officials said the authority will exercise ‘‘guardrails’’ on air‑service development funds and require carriers to meet milestones before accessing certain funds.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the tax levy request. Airport staff said they would return to council as projects are designed and ready for bidding and that the airport will continue coordination with city planning and public‑works departments.