Moffat County commissioners voted Dec. 30 to approve a final retainage payment of $272,421.22 to contractor United for a runway rehabilitation project, a county airport official said, while county staff said the FAA grant cannot be fully closed until a pending flight check is completed.

"So that final retainage amount is, $272,421.22," said Candice Miller of the Moffat County Airport, who told the board the county can submit that amount for FAA reimbursement now but can only close the grant to about 97.5 percent until the flight check occurs. Miller estimated the final closeout could occur within about six months once the flight check is complete.

The board heard that the county’s local match for the portion discussed is $13,000. A commissioner moved to approve the payment and the motion carried by voice vote; the audio record contains 'Aye' responses from two commissioners and the chair.

During the subsequent budget hearing, county finance staff clarified that a separate $500,000 entry shown to the airport in the supplemental budget represents a temporary internal loan from the general fund to cover timing differences until reimbursements arrive, not new grant revenue. "Due to the fact we'll transfer it, it's a loan. It's a temporary loan from general," Finance Director Kathy Nielsen said, adding the county expects to transfer funds back as reimbursements are received, possibly around March.

The airport presenter said legal ads were placed and no outstanding invoices to United were reported. Staff said they will monitor the flight check and return with final closeout numbers when available.

The board approved the payment during its regular session; further monitoring and final accounting will follow once the FAA completes the flight check.