Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Morrow County authorizes engineering for AWOS and runway lighting; three-year maintenance covered
Summary
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners approved funding to start engineering work for an automated weather-observing system (AWOS) and runway lighting at the county airport and confirmed a three-year maintenance arrangement included with the purchase.
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 9 authorized engineering funds to advance a planned automated weather observing system (AWOS) installation and runway lighting upgrades at the county airport. The board approved the appropriation after staff said the county has received but not yet appropriated the money.
Staff said the AWOS purchase includes a pre-paid three-year maintenance package provided by a company-affiliated non-federally employed technician (NFT). "We premade for 3 years of maintenance by an NFT affiliated with that company," said Speaker 2, describing the maintenance arrangement and the contractor’s obligations to monitor and service the system. County staff said a 49-page maintenance-and-operations document requires signatures and initials before the contractor will schedule commissioning and activation.
The funding covers engineering work to prepare both the AWOS and the runway-lighting project. Speaker 1 confirmed the authorization was intended to advance engineering for both systems so the county can proceed to procurement and field installation. Staff said some elements — such as runway construction work — are larger projects that will be phased on the county’s capital plan.
Board members discussed related operational steps: some property-owner approvals and trimming work remain on the checklist. Speaker 2 reported ongoing coordination with property owners (including a mention of the Shaffer property and concerns about erosion) and noted that paperwork to relocate a windsock remains to be completed. Staff expects to finish major tasks toward system activation in 2025 and cited a target of July 2025 for completion of the listed work.
Next steps: county staff must secure final signatures on the maintenance/operations agreement, schedule commissioning with the contractor, and proceed with procurement and construction phases. The board recorded a roll-call vote to approve the appropriation.
