Jim Michael, representing the Randolph County airport, presented a conceptual terminal-and-hangar design and two preliminary cost estimates to the county commissioners and council, saying one concept was ‘‘a little over $3 million’’ and another ‘‘a little over $2 million.’’ Michael cautioned the materials were a quick sketch and many line items remained in flux.

Commissioners and council members disputed whether to build a combined terminal-and-hangar structure or to separate the terminal and hangar to reduce immediate cost. Participants noted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding is available (the airport receives an approximately $150,000 annual FAA entitlement), but FAA standards for pavements, concrete, fire ratings and other elements can raise costs. Commissioners said they could target a $1 million design and ask architects to design to that number to see what is feasible.

The board voted to ask the airport board to contact an architect to produce a conceptual drawing and formal cost estimate. A commissioner who moved the request said an architectural set would likely cost ‘‘around $20,000 to $25,000’’ and could be taken to bid once completed. The motion passed by voice vote.

Separately, airport board members reported a recently constructed hangar exceeded state thresholds and had not received state plan approval. Board members said the builder admitted constructing without approved state plans; the hangar was reported at about 12,617 square feet, which triggers firewall and higher-rated fire-door requirements. Commissioners discussed options including stopping payments and pursuing liquidated-damage claims under the contract until the builder brings the structure into compliance. One commissioner said the payments to the contractor would stop immediately and urged the airport board to ‘‘play hardball.’’

Next steps: the airport board will request formal architectural proposals and return with costed plans for county review; the airport board also will address the hangar permit/plan corrections at its next meeting.