County officials and a project representative reported that a new hangar at the county airport is nearly complete but cannot be put into service because a power easement and city sign‑off remain outstanding.

A project speaker said the hangar is about 97% complete but that Powder River Electric required a signed easement so the utility can trench and place a 200‑foot run to connect a meter. The speaker told the commission the meter sits on a pole and that electricity from the meter outward is owned by the utility, which is why the easement and city signature are required.

"It is 97% done. And that's because the city still hasn't signed that," the speaker said. The speaker said the hangar cannot be leased until doors and power are operable and said there is a waiting list of potential lessees.

Commission discussion focused on why the city council has not signed the easement. County staff said the city asked questions about the airport’s economic benefit to the city and requested more information before signing. County staff cited an economic impact analysis (the county provided a study from 2020), saying state aviation calculations showed significant revenue generated in the city by airport traffic — the speaker gave an estimate in the meeting of roughly $1,300,000 for the city in a prior analysis.

Commissioners and staff discussed the mechanics of meter ownership and reimbursements; the county said it pays airport bills upfront and the city reimburses the county for the city’s share, so a refusal to sign or delay could reduce planned revenue and affect the county budget.

The county representative said hangar leases will include a base monthly fee and separate metering for electricity so tenants pay their electrical consumption; the county also said it intends to have lease language covering liability and tenant responsibility for utilities and insurance. The commission scheduled outreach to the city (a meeting was noted as planned) to resolve outstanding signatures and to present the airport’s economic analysis to city councilors.

No formal vote occurred during the discussion. Commissioners said they will bring documentation (lease template and the interlocal/reimbursement agreement) to the next meeting with the city.