Commission reviews airport capital plan; budget assumes conservative 5% county share pending FAA clarification

County airport staff reviewed a multi-year capital plan including a master plan requirement, apron reconstruction (phase 3) and easement acquisitions to trim trees that now penetrate approach surfaces. The airport presentation stressed the budget was prepared conservatively on the assumption the county’s required share could be 5% of project costs while FAA clarification is pending.

"The budget as presented is at the 5% share," the airport presenter said, adding the county hopes to confirm whether it falls into a 2.5% share and that any reduction would be returned to airport reserves. He explained easement acquisition is typically a long process involving multiple property owners and that easements are typically permanent rights.

Commissioners asked whether the county share would be borne by taxes or drawn from airport reserves; staff said the funds would come from airport reserves designated for projects. A motion was made to accept airport projects totaling $3,380,668; it was seconded and moved forward. The committee discussed the cost-share scenarios and confirmed the goal of placing any FAA-share savings back into airport reserves.

County officials described the timetable for easement acquisition as likely requiring about a year to register easements and a following year to perform tree trimming. They also noted that apron repaving reflects routine pavement renewal rather than expansion.

The committee moved the airport projects for approval and asked staff to continue pursuing FAA clarification about the applicable county share and to return with confirmed figures for final accounting.