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Airport staff says city approved $1.5M to start FIS staffing and terminal seating work

Measure J Oversight Commission · March 23, 2026

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Summary

Airport executive program administrator Christina Brown briefed the commission on a two‑phase FIS feasibility study, CBP engagement and the recent city‑council approval of $1.5 million (about $1M for an auxiliary FIS staffing year and $500k for terminal seating). Permanent FIS construction is estimated by staff for 2028.

Christina Brown, the airport’s executive program administrator, told the Measure J Oversight Commission on March 19 that the airport has advanced a two‑phase feasibility and business‑case analysis for a Federal Inspection Services (FIS) capability and has secured local and regional endorsements to pursue an auxiliary FIS while planning for a permanent facility.

Brown said consultants completed a market analysis, sizing and site alternatives and preliminary financial modeling in 2023–24, and that the airport followed with a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) engagement plan in 2025. She told commissioners that the city took a funding request to the City Council on March 11 and that the council approved $1.5 million to cover initial costs for the two projects: about $1 million to fund CBP officers’ salaries/benefits for an auxiliary FIS and $500,000 for updated terminal seating and charging tables.

Brown emphasized that the auxiliary FIS is an interim step while the city and its consultants pursue a permanent FIS, which staff currently estimate could open in summer 2028. She said the airport has received nonbinding letters of interest from two airlines and written endorsements from local officials and Visit Greater Palm Springs; the CBP engaged with staff in a September 2025 briefing and signaled positive interest, Brown said.

On procurement, Brown said staff narrowed terminal seating options to two cooperative‑purchase paths and will present options to airport leadership in April or May before contracting. She also noted funding for the two projects comes from aviation‑fuel sales tax reserves set aside for airport projects.

Next steps: staff will continue CBP engagement, advance seating procurement for council contract approval, and return to the commission with updates when design and staffing plans are finalized.