Delta County authorizes two FAA airport grants, tables fuel supplier award; GSA account amendment approved

Delta County commissioners authorized two Federal Aviation Administration grant agreements on Aug. 20 that the airport manager said will fund runway guidance and lighting work, roughly 2,000 feet of perimeter fencing, and reconstruction of the commercial apron adjacent to the main terminal.

Airport Manager Rance Nadler told the board the first grant, 3-26-0031-052-2024, covers airfield guidance, lighting systems and perimeter fencing with a total project cost “a little over $45,000,” of which federal funding will cover about $43,000 and Delta County’s local share will be approximately 2.5 percent. The second grant, 3-26-0031-053-2024, is for commercial apron reconstruction with a total project cost of about $225,000; Nadler said the federal appropriation for that project is roughly $214,000 and the local share is $5,643.

“The paperwork and these agreements do permit us to receive money,” Nadler said, describing the grants as part of the airport’s standard five-year improvement planning and noting a 14-day window to return electronically signed agreements to the FAA. Commissioners voted to authorize Nadler to sign the grant agreements and to approve the contracts as presented.

Separately, commissioners discussed an RFP for an aviation fuel supply agreement that yielded four submissions. Nadler said the airport advisory board narrowed the field to two finalists and requested face-to-face presentations; the board voted to table the RFP award so the advisory board can hold on-site interviews with both finalists and then forward a ranking and recommendation.

Commissioners also approved an amendment to the county’s General Services Administration (GSA) lease/account information after Nadler explained a SAM (System for Award Management) account consolidation moved the airport into the county account and interrupted electronic payments from the GSA. Nadler said the GSA will reimburse missed payments and resume regular monthly payments once the account information is corrected; one commissioner asked whether the county would receive about $41,000 in back payments, which Nadler confirmed.

Nadler apologized for the short notice on the grant paperwork and said he had been coordinating with the county attorney to ensure timely electronic signatures. He told commissioners he will work to provide fuller advance notice in future grant cycles. The airport advisory board will meet again to complete vendor presentations for the fuel RFP and return a recommendation to the county board.