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Airport fire truck out of service; board seeks emergency loan while county reviews COVID-era fund transfers
Summary
The airport's ARFF fire truck is out of service and the board has applied to the Utah Permanent Community Impact Fund / CIB for an emergency loan to replace it; commissioners also discussed roughly $1.1 million that moved from airport revenues into the county general fund during the COVID period and the need to reimburse eligible airport funds.
The Grand County Airport reported its Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck is out of service after a water-pump failure, and the airport is operating with a loaner vehicle from Provo while repairs and replacement options proceed.
Airport staff said the FAA expects the airport to maintain a higher index ARFF vehicle; waiting for FAA funding would delay replacement for years. The airport applied for an emergency loan from the State CIB (Community Impact Board) to speed purchase of a replacement vehicle and — if FAA funding later becomes available to cover the cost — to repay the loan. The board expects to have more information at the next meeting and noted the CIB decision could come within days during a scheduled CIB meeting in Richfield.
Commissioners also discussed an internal accounting issue stemming from the COVID-era grant and revenue flow. Board members said about $1.1 million (the speaker called this an approximate figure and asked not to be quoted on the exact amount) generated by airport operations ended up in Grand County’s general fund during the period when CARES/ARPA/CRRSA-style funds were in effect. County clerk-auditor review determined the amount should be returned to the airport or otherwise handled under FAA/ARPA guidelines; the timing and mechanics of that reimbursement remain under review by county administration.
Board members discussed logistical questions if a replacement engine is purchased, including whether the older unit would be kept as a backup (the board said yes) and building space to house two vehicles. Members also discussed technical requirements (an ‘‘index B’’ vehicle was described as preferable by FAA guidance) and that any procurement must follow FAA funding procurement rules if the board wants FAA reimbursement later.
No formal board vote on the emergency loan was recorded during the meeting; the board described the CIB loan application as in progress.
Board members asked staff to continue pursuing both short-term operational readiness and the reimbursement clarification with county administration.
