Leesburg Airport Director Scott Kaufman told the Town Council on Oct. 27 that the airport’s operating revenues exceed expenditures and currently cover debt service and capital outlays, and he outlined capital priorities including a new air‑traffic control tower design, taxiway work and a runway repaving planned for next summer.

Kaufman said the airport’s FY2026 expense budget was approximately $1.4 million, split roughly half personnel and half operating costs, while anticipated revenues were roughly $2.2 million. He emphasized that federal grant rules require airport funds to remain dedicated to airport uses and cannot be diverted to the town’s general fund.

Kaufman described several capital activities: a contract to design a replacement control tower (design kickoff approved earlier in the year), a main‑apron rehabilitation that was recently completed, a planned runway repave next summer and surveys for a parallel taxiway relocation. He said the airport pursues state and federal grants to fund nearly all capital work and cited a 50% state grant for recent equipment purchases.

Traffic at the airport grew from about 55,000 annual operations in 2019 to over 100,000 by 2024; traffic year‑to‑date in 2025 was slightly down from 2024, with a record month in July. Kaufman said fuel sales have held about even year‑to‑date despite a modest drop in operations, which he attributed to heavier fuel loads or larger aircraft.

Councilmembers asked about use of excess airport revenue; Finance staff explained surplus airport funds are tracked in an airport pro‑forma and carry forward to cover future shortfalls or local capital purchases such as a possible FBO hangar purchase option in 2028. Kaufman said the town has an option to buy privately built hangars in 2028 at 90% of assessed value; if the town acquires them it could collect both hangar and ground lease revenue but would also face maintenance and upgrade costs.

Kaufman said the air‑traffic control tower design may take up to two years and that having design complete is important to compete for federal funding windows. Councilmembers also discussed noise complaints, hangar rates and whether raising personal property taxes on aircraft would prompt aircraft to relocate; Kaufman and staff cautioned that higher local taxes have prompted departures elsewhere.

Kaufman closed by urging continued pursuit of FAA and state funding opportunities and by noting the airport’s outreach efforts — from an air show to family story time events — that aim to increase local engagement.