DeKalb County Council approves encumbrance for delayed airport snow-removal equipment; runway reclamation scheduled for 2027
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Summary
County council approved encumbering $989,755 for snow-removal equipment delayed to February 2026 and heard a report from Randy Fox that the airport will close for about 60 days in 2027 for reclamation and repaving of 5,000 feet of runway; council discussed tenant impacts and new hangar construction.
Randy Fox, airport director, told the DeKalb County Council that the Albert De Kalb Executive Airport will undergo a major reclamation of 5,000 feet of runway in 2027 that will require the field to close for roughly 60 days, with additional short closures for final grooving and markings.
“We're gonna be closed for probably 60 days in 2027 to mill out 5 and a half inches of blacktop, stabilize all the under structure ... and then put new 5 and a half inches of concrete on,” Fox said, noting the work is part of a long-term runway extension and safety upgrade. He said the airport completed its taxiway work and recorded 14,910 operations in 2025.
Fox also reported that snow-removal equipment ordered for 2025 was delayed and is expected in February 2026, with a price cited in the meeting packet of $989,755. The council had previously passed a resolution to encumber those funds into 2026 so the airport can pay for the equipment when it arrives.
Council members asked about impacts to tenants during the closure. Fox said tenants were notified in advance during a prior closure and that many temporarily relocate aircraft; the airport offered rent abatements in past closures but had not finalized any rental-fee decisions tied to the 2027 project.
Councilmember Bill Van White moved to approve the encumbrance of the delayed equipment funds; Amy Dembski seconded. Susan (clerk) conducted a roll-call, and the motion carried.
The airport director also reported plans to build 18 new T-hangar spaces in spring, to tear down an older row of hangars that intruded into the runway protection zone, and to adjust taxiway connectors to meet FAA safety expectations.
The council did not set specific tenant-relief terms during the meeting; Fox said those operational details will be worked out with tenants as construction approaches.