Lake City Council approves $1.7M airport grant, aviation fuel contract, CRA funding and purchase of former 5 Points Elementary

Lake City’s council approved a string of resolutions on March 16 that the city manager and staff said will boost airport capacity, downtown revitalization and community services.

Resolution 2026‑007 authorizes an agreement with the Florida Department of Commerce for a $1,700,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to support the Lake City Gateway Airport. The city attorney noted the resolution’s title referenced the city manager while the substance directs the mayor to sign; the minutes were asked to reflect the mayor’s authority to execute the agreement. Council approved the resolution.

Council also awarded the annual aviation‑fuels contract (invitation to bid No. 0062026) by adopting resolution 2026‑035, awarding the contract to Eastern Aviation Fuels Inc., doing business as Titan Aviation Fuels. The resolution authorizes the mayor to execute the agreement.

In downtown redevelopment, the council approved resolution 2026‑037 to reallocate $150,000 in the CRA budget from infrastructure to other current charges, expanding a façade grant program administered by the CRA. Staff reported six applications have already been received.

Council approved resolution 2026‑039 authorizing the city to acquire the former 5 Points Elementary School campus from Columbia County Schools. City management said planned uses include storm shelter space, nonprofit tenant offices and other community functions; the manager said the intent is to keep the facility budget‑neutral through tenant rents and to present a master‑use plan to council.

Each resolution passed by recorded vote during the meeting; staff will return with execution documents and follow‑up reports as required.