Livingston County approves advance, concurs on Summit construction contract for airport snow-removal building

The Livingston County Board of Commissioners voted on Feb. 24 to seek federal and state grant funding, authorize a temporary county advance and to concur with the county Aeronautical Facilities Board to enter a construction agreement with Summit Company for a snow removal equipment building at the county airport.

The board approved submitting a Michigan Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration grant application for the project and then approved an advance from the county’s delinquent tax revolving fund to the Airport Capital Improvement Fund to pay construction costs while the grant is processed. Commissioners also voted to concur with the Aeronautical Facilities Board to enter a construction agreement with Summit Company, not to exceed $2,743,000 (which includes a $50,000 contingency in the construction authorization).

Why it matters: Airport officials said a heated, dedicated storage building would keep snow‑removal equipment drier and ready for use, reducing ice buildup on brushes and bearings after storms and helping the airport maintain operations during winter weather. Airport staff and some commissioners said the building would improve reliability for users including medical flights.

Commissioners debated timing and financial risk. Commissioner Laura Gross said delaying the decision could prevent the building from being ready before next winter and voiced support for moving forward so construction could begin in spring. Commissioner Wes Nakagiri and Chairman Drake expressed reservations about advancing county funds before the grant was certain, citing risk if a contractor or grant funding were not ultimately available. Ultimately the board approved the advance and concurrence votes (see "Votes at a glance" for roll-call tallies).

Airport Director Johnson (referred to in meeting remarks) described the project budget and phases to commissioners and noted the FAA/MDOT grant application deadline and the practical need to have bids in hand for the grant submittal. He said the airport would use $500,000 in retained earnings first, then the requested advance; grant proceeds would repay the advance if awarded.

Commissioner Nakagiri asked about contingency planning if the contractor were to withdraw before grant award. Director Johnson answered that the grant application requires bids and that bids were already in hand; he acknowledged the risk that a contractor could withdraw but said the county had included contingencies in its planning. Treasurer Jennifer Nash (referred to by name during the discussion) reported that the delinquent tax revolving fund had available funds and expected reimbursements that would allow an advance without depleting the fund.

The airport director and several commissioners said the county’s timeline aimed for construction to start spring 2025 with a mid‑October 2025 completion target for the building; if the grant timeline required, staff said construction timing could shift. Officials said the building is not 100% grant‑eligible; an estimated portion would be covered by FAA funds and the remainder would be financed locally with the advance and repaid over time.

What the votes did: The board (after an amendment and a brief recess to substitute updated figures) approved the grant application by voice vote, authorized the advance from delinquent tax funds (roll call; majority recorded), and concurred with the Aeronautical Facilities Board to enter a construction agreement with Summit Company (roll call; majority recorded). The board also approved the related capital contract (the Summit scope and bid materials were included with the grant application packet). Details of those votes and the numbered resolutions are listed in the separate "Votes at a glance" article.

Background: The airport has operated at the current site since the 1950s and the county acquired it in 1963. County officials said portable heaters in existing hangars were not an economical alternative and would not achieve the same reliable, year‑round readiness for the snow equipment. Airport staff said heating the new building to a moderate temperature (roughly mid‑50s Fahrenheit) would prevent ice accumulation and extend equipment life.

Next steps: Staff will submit the FAA/MDOT grant application per the approved resolution and proceed with contracting steps contingent on grant award. If the grant is awarded, grant proceeds will be used to repay the county advance; if not, commissioners acknowledged the county would be responsible for the remaining costs under the adopted financing plan.

Sources: Remarks on the record at the Livingston County Board of Commissioners meeting of Feb. 24, 2025, including statements by Director Johnson, Treasurer Jennifer Nash (remarks summarized from the meeting), Commissioner Laura Gross and Commissioner Wes Nakagiri.