Commission approves hangar lease and moves forward on airport lease updates after public concerns

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved an intent to terminate and enter into a lease for Hangar R5 with Skadim LLC and advanced a first round of updated lease terms for multiple tenants at the Marv Skis Lincoln County Airport.

County staff told the board the R5 action involved a transfer and required terminating the prior lease before updating terms. "They started the process of a transfer of the hangar during the commission action," staff said, explaining the procedural steps the county needed to take.

During the broader lease discussion, resident Scott Montgomery criticized the proposed fixed cent escalator in the lease language, saying a fixed half‑cent increase every year or one cent every two years would undercut taxpayers as land values rise. "I would suggest that you make this a percentage increase instead of a set amount," Montgomery told commissioners.

County staff and commissioners responded the board’s prior action equated to a half‑cent increase and that leases include an escalator or review if inflation outpaces the fixed amount; staff indicated five‑year evaluations would check that rents remain current with market conditions.

The commission moved and seconded approval for the R5 lease and the round of updated leases; roll call votes carried. Staff said another round of public hearings on lease updates will occur next month.

Next steps: staff will proceed with final lease updates and schedule additional public hearings for subsequent lease changes.