Crook County authorizes conditional signatory power to accept time-sensitive $4 million FAA runway grant

County staff told commissioners on Aug. 14 that the Federal Aviation Administration has prioritized Crook County’s runway reconstruction grant and plans an announcement near Sept. 9 with only a 24-hour window to accept. The FAA offer would fund about 90% of a roughly $4,000,000 construction project.

Elliot briefed the board on the timeline and urged the county to be prepared to sign the grant offer quickly when it arrives. County counsel recommended a conditional motion: authorize Commissioner Barney and county counsel to execute the final grant agreement only if it is "substantially similar" to the draft already provided in the packet and reviewed by counsel.

Commissioner discussion focused on ensuring that the final terms match the draft and on scheduling a fuller briefing for a regular meeting. A motion to approve the FAA grant on the stated condition was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners emphasized that if any materially different terms appear in the final grant, they would reconvene to review them before acceptance.

Staff said the county already has engineering design work and some prior expenditures on the project; failing to accept a timely FAA offer could jeopardize the federal construction funding. The board approved the conditional authorization so staff can return an executed grant within the FAA's compressed acceptance window, provided counsel certifies substantive similarity with the draft agreement.