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Commissioners discuss expanding Inland Port district to include part of North Platte Municipal Airport
Summary
The board discussed a proposal to expand the Nebraska International Port of the Plains district to include approximately 84 acres of North Platte Municipal Airport property. Commissioners asked for a legal and meet-and-bounds framework and directed the port committee and stakeholders to draft an agreement before any formal vote.
Lincoln County commissioners discussed but did not vote on a proposal to expand the Nebraska International Port of the Plains district to include part of the North Platte Municipal Airport.
Commissioner Brenda (identified in the meeting as a sponsor of the agenda item) said the change would use a state amendment to the Municipal Inland Port Authority Act allowing noncontiguous parcels of up to 15 miles and that about 84 acres of airport property were under consideration for inclusion. Brenda said the change was contemplated when the inland port was first established and that state legislative changes enabled inclusion of the airport as a noncontiguous portion of the port district.
Justin Gosnell, airport manager, said the airport’s primary interest would be to preserve aeronautical land along Taxiway Bravo for air-cargo facilities and to have a plan in place so an interested business could move quickly if the opportunity arises. Gosnell said much of the airport would remain aeronautical and that some parcels could require dirt infill or other improvements before they are buildable.
Commissioners and staff outlined steps they expect before a final vote: (1) a meets-and-bounds description of the exact parcels proposed for inclusion; (2) a framework or draft agreement describing responsibilities between the port authority and the airport authority (ownership, leases, infrastructure maintenance, and financial responsibilities); (3) coordination with the city of North Platte, which submitted a supporting resolution; and (4) legal review and coordination with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Board members noted unanimous support on related governing bodies so far: the Port board of directors, the airport authority board, the city council (per materials provided), and chamber/development corporation letters of support. Commissioners agreed to ask the port committee, the airport authority and legal counsel to develop a draft framework and parcel description and to return to the board when the paperwork and meets-and-bounds are ready for formal action.
Ending: County staff and the port committee will work with the airport authority, city, and legal counsel to prepare a parcel description and draft intergovernmental framework; the item will return to the board for formal consideration at a future meeting.
