Advisory board backs recommendation to spend up to $50,000 of county RCG funds on air‑service consultant

The Grand County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board voted Jan. 28 to recommend that the county commission allocate up to $50,000 of Rural Counties Grant (RCG) funds to hire a consultant to negotiate the county’s 2026 Essential Air Service (EAS) contract.

Britney Milton, board member and chair-elect, moved the recommendation, saying the county needs professional negotiation support because past attempts to handle EAS contracts internally have not secured stable service. "The ask would be a recommendation from this board," Milton said, proposing an upper limit of $50,000 to cover a roughly $40,000 contract plus travel and incidentals.

Board members pressing for the consultant argued reliable air service supports economic diversification, medical access and local businesses. Randy Martin of the Moab Area Chamber of Commerce, who met the proposed consultant, said the specialist brought decades of airline and Federal Aviation Administration experience and warned the Department of Transportation’s current review backlog could delay any new contract into early 2027.

Opponents raised priorities for limited RCG funds, noting housing and childcare needs. One board member said, "I don't think our money and funding helps working people in Moab" and questioned whether airport spending would directly help residents with the greatest need.

Melissa Jeffers, county economic development staff, said the consultant’s work would increase the county’s bargaining position with carriers and could unlock larger planes and direct service to Denver and Salt Lake City. She described the consultant contract as "$40,000 plus travel expenses" and said the requested recommendation is intended to allow the county to pay upfront with the expectation of later reimbursement through the RCG process if the commission approves and GoEO reimburses eligible costs.

After extended discussion about process and priorities, the board voted to forward the recommendation to the county commission; the motion passed and staff will prepare the formal communication. The commission would need to approve any expenditure and the county would work with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GoEO) on reimbursement rules.

Next steps: staff will prepare the board’s recommendation for the county commission and follow the RCG reimbursement process in coordination with GoEO. The commission will schedule a vote and, if approved, the county can enter a contract with the consultant.