Knox County Commission approves leases, cooperative agreement, parking changes and contingency transfer; sets sheriff salary for next term

At its January meeting the Knox County Commission handled a series of routine and administrative actions, voting unanimously on several items that the commission described as necessary operating decisions.

Hangar leases: The commission approved 10‑year lease extensions for general aviation hangars (Hangars 1–53) to move lessees off month‑to‑month status while the county’s consultant, Stantec, completes a fair‑market valuation. Airport staff said the 20‑year original lease terms provide for the first 10‑year extension; commissioners debated a shorter interim term but accepted the airport public advisory committee recommendation to proceed with the 10‑year renewal.

Cooperative services: The commission authorized the airport manager to sign the 2026 cooperative service agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services for on‑call wildlife removal; staff said there was no cost unless services are called and the county did not use the service in 2025.

Parking policy: Commissioners approved clarifying revisions to the airport parking policy, including modest rate increases (example cited in discussion: daily parking from $6 to $7) and language clarifications for enforcement and permit billing. Airport staff said in‑house tracking had been resumed after identifying ParkMobile under‑capture.

Finance and contingency: The commission awarded short‑term debt to the lowest bidder (Machias Savings, per staff recommendation) and approved a $100,000 transfer from undesignated funds to replenish the contingency reserve that had been used for communications per‑diem costs this year.

Sheriff salary: The commission considered an act to set the elected sheriff’s salary beginning with the 2027 term. After discussion and a motion to amend, the commission amended the act to specify that the sheriff’s salary remain at the current rate for the next term; the amendment passed on a recorded vote of 3–0.

Other motions included unanimous consent to add an APAC nominations item to the agenda and approval of a nominations timetable and press release for January 13, 2026. The commission also scheduled a follow‑up meeting and an executive session date to continue personnel conversations.

All formal votes recorded in the meeting transcript were unanimous where a tally is noted (multiple "3 in favor, none opposed" votes).