Commission approves Manila Airport layout update; designates chair to sign Black Cat reimbursements

Commissioners approved the updated 2025 Manila Airport layout plan and authorized the commission chair to sign airport and Air Force-related reimbursement requests through the state's Black Cat system.

Airport staff described minor updates to the municipal airport layout — adding the airport beacon and clarifying building-restriction distances — and said the state reviewed and signed the updates. "They signed it," staff stated; commissioners voted to approve the layout so projects in conformance with the plan can proceed.

Separately, staff explained the state's transition to the Black Cat electronic reimbursement platform for Air Force projects and airport reimbursements. Previously the county submitted paper reimbursement requests; the state requires county-level signatory authority in Black Cat. Commissioners discussed whether to designate a single signer or allow two signers for redundancy; the commission voted to grant the chair signing authority so timely reimbursements do not stall projects.

Commissioners also discussed prioritizing airport projects for Black Cat funding, coordinating with the region's airport manager Craig Campbell and county engineering staff, and potential runway and crack-seal work at Dutch John and Manila. Staff said some large runway projects require multi-year planning and a match (for example, a multi-million dollar resurfacing with a 10% local match) and recommended assembling a prioritized five-year list for Black Cat submittals.

The layout-plan approval and the Black Cat signatory designation were approved by voice vote. Staff will scan and distribute signed copies of the layout plan and begin coordinating the prioritized airport project list.