BOCC confirms transfer of $1.43 million FAA entitlement funds to Eagle County Regional Airport

Pitkin County commissioners on July 9 confirmed an emergency resolution authorizing the temporary transfer of $1,430,000 in Federal Aviation Administration entitlement grant funding to Eagle County Regional Airport.

County staff said the practice is an established mechanism used by Colorado airports: transferring entitlement funds temporarily to another jurisdiction that can use them now and, in return, extending (tolling) the time period in which the transferring airport may spend its entitlement. Staff described the arrangement as a way to avoid losing FAA entitlement dollars to expiration and to “bank” or toll the county’s federal entitlement for use on future airport projects.

Commission discussion and questions

Commissioners asked whether transferred entitlement funds have specific eligible uses (capital, runway repair, etc.). Staff said eligible uses are determined by FAA grant rules and that staff would follow up with the airport manager and FAA for precise eligibility details. Commissioners emphasized the transfer is intended to preserve funds for future Pitkin County airport projects and to help a neighboring jurisdiction use the dollars immediately.

Board action

The board voted unanimously to confirm the emergency resolution. The resolution implements a previously passed emergency action and authorizes the chair to sign the necessary agreements to effect the temporary FAA transfer.

Ending

Staff said they will follow up on the remaining FAA entitlement balance and eligibility for specific airport projects and report back to the board.