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Supervisors end DesertJet’s temporary tenancy at Thermal Airport and award lease to AFM Aviation
Summary
After testimony from DesertJet employees and AFM Aviation representatives, the board voted to terminate DesertJet’s temporary occupancy and award a lease to AFM Aviation for a 7.5‑acre parcel at Thermal Airport, citing a competitive RFP outcome and staff recommendation; board approved both actions 4–0.
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 to follow staff’s recommendation to terminate a month‑to‑month short-term tenancy used by DesertJet at Thermal Airport and to award a lease for the adjacent 7.5‑acre parcel to AFM Aviation.
What happened: Multiple DesertJet representatives — including line supervisors and executives — asked the board to allow DesertJet to remain through April 30, 2026, citing the January–April period as a high seasonal demand window and saying moving off the parcel mid‑season would cause significant business disruption. DesertJet’s principal owner, Jim McCool, said the change would jeopardize revenues and jobs and asked for an additional 75‑day extension to allow construction of DesertJet’s new facilities to finish.
Staff presentation and applicant response: Airport director Angela Jamieson explained the property history: DesertJet had occupied a temporary 1.5-acre parcel under a short-term lease that was extended while the county ran an RFP for the larger 7.5‑acre site. The RFP selected AFM Aviation as the winning bidder. AFM co‑owner Al Randoz, who described military and local ties and federal contracting timelines, told the board his company needed immediate access to begin work on contracts and local job creation.
Board rationale: Supervisors thanked both firms and repeatedly noted the county’s responsibility to act in the airport’s broader best interest and to follow a competitive procurement process. Chair Manuel Perez said the county had provided multiple extensions and opportunities to DesertJet during prior negotiations and that awarding the long-term lease to AFM better serves county interests and revenue.
Votes and outcome: The Board approved termination of the temporary tenancy (agenda item 3.47) and then approved the AFM Aviation lease (3.48) after hearing related public testimony; both votes were recorded 4–0. The board instructed staff to continue outreach and said AFM had expressed willingness to work with DesertJet on potential transition opportunities.
What’s next: Staff said the 7.5‑acre lease award for AFM will be processed per county procedures and that AFM and DesertJet may negotiate privately for transitional arrangements; staff also indicated the larger 7.5‑acre assignment will appear on a future agenda for final paperwork.
