Airport finance chief reports modest first-quarter gains, requests for balance-sheet reporting

Beaufort County airport finance staff presented first-quarter fiscal-year 2026 operating results and answered questions about revenue drivers and accounting practices.

Brian, who led the financial briefing, said ramp fees increased by about $128,000 compared with the prior year, largely because of higher airline cost-recovery charges. He reported about $151,000 in interest income in the first quarter and said county financenow calculates interest on pooled cash; he expects roughly $200,000 for the year and said he is pursuing discussions about any retroactive interest the county might owe.

The presentation also addressed anomalies and timing issues: hangar-rental figures in FY24 were inflated by duplicated automated invoices, which staff have corrected; parking and taxi fees fell in the quarter because an automatic gate system is not yet fully operational and because the July–September quarter is seasonally variable for short-term drop-car revenue. On expenses, Brian noted a small payroll increase tied to adding two positions and fewer capital equipment purchases this quarter.

Board members asked for a regular balance sheet in addition to profit-and-loss reporting. Brian said the accounting system does not automatically produce a user-friendly balance sheet but that he will prepare quarterly balance sheets going forward (targeting a March presentation for December financials).

Why it matters: airport operating results and reserve positions drive decisions about hangar development, grant gap-filling and capital priorities. The finance presentation framed interest income as a new revenue source and underlined the strategic value of hangar development to diversify beyond fuel-driven sales.

Next steps: staff will attempt to prepare a quarterly balance sheet for the board and continue work on grant pursuits and hangar funding strategies.