Airport manager details tower repairs, new equipment and updated staff training as operations rise

During the manager'reported portion of the meeting, the airport manager provided a slide presentation describing recent and planned maintenance and equipment purchases. He reported that the air traffic control tower roof was replaced, new windows and baseboard heaters were installed, and that power and lighting upgrades were completed.

The manager said the airport purchased two used Oshkosh snowblowers (from 1985 and 1987) after the old snowblower's gearbox proved irreparable, and that the airport expects delivery of a new snow-plow truck (14-foot blade with a wing) being built in the Salt Lake area. For pavement preservation, the airport acquired a Craftco crack sealer from the public works department and plans to train staff to use it to delay larger-scale repairs.

He also briefed the board on a revised employee training curriculum cross-referenced to the airport certification manual and FAA requirements, now including videos and quizzes; he credited staff member Matthias Conrad for much of that work. On operations, the manager reported 116,826 takeoffs or landings in the previous year and 11,128 operations so far this year (reported on the Monday prior to the meeting), projecting roughly 133,000 operations for 2026 if the pace continues.

Board members asked whether a proportional share of operations comes from the Utah State University (USU) program; the manager declined to estimate a percentage on the spot and offered to provide numbers on request. Members also asked for follow-up details about the hangar waiting list and coordination with outside developers.