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Boone council approves reallocation of airport runway funds to cover fuel‑farm cleanup
Summary
The council approved using funds set aside for a runway extension to pay for remediation after fuel contamination and a high water table complicated tank removal at the municipal airport.
The Boone City Council voted to reallocate funds previously set aside for a runway extension to cover unexpected remediation costs at the municipal airport after the discovery of fuel contamination and a problematic groundwater level.
Airport Commission Chair Joe Hundeck told the council that additional soil sampling during fuel‑farm construction showed evidence of contamination; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources was notified and responded. Hundeck said state rules require removal of the affected underground tank, and that remediation and backfill costs are higher than anticipated because the groundwater is only about four feet below grade.
Hundeck described two components of the unplanned expense: a roughly $54,000 remediation cost to address the contaminated soil and another roughly $64,000 to backfill the tank cavity with granular rock rather than dirt because a high water table prevents dirt from compacting. He said the airport commission recommended using $150,000 set aside for a runway extension now and postponing the runway project, which the commission expects could take six to 10 years to complete.
Council authorization will allow staff to prepare the necessary budget amendment to move the local auto sales tax funds from the runway extension project to the fuel‑farm remediation. Council members moved, seconded and approved the reallocation on a roll call vote.
Why this matters: the city must comply with DNR removal requirements and complete an active construction contract; delaying action risks regulatory or contractual problems. The reallocation means the runway extension funds will be used for immediate environmental compliance and construction completion, with the longer runway project deferred.
Council discussion and procedure: Council members asked whether the funds were transferable and were told that council approval plus a subsequent budget amendment are required to spend the money on the different project. No opposition was recorded at the council vote.
