Jasper County Airport Commission reviews budget, plans FAA grant application for taxi lanes, helipad and backup generator

At its April meeting the Jasper County Airport Commission reviewed a draft operating and capital budget and discussed applying to the Federal Aviation Administration for a $471,000 grant to fund taxi-lane widening, a helicopter pad and a backup generator.

Mister Sansone, the airport manager, told commissioners that nonoperating revenue projections include anticipated FAA and state grants and that operating revenue would rely on traditional sources—rents and fuel sales—plus new lines such as events, vending and operating agreements. "On May 1, we're planning on submitting an application with the FAA, to, receive that $471,000 in grant money," Sansone said. He identified a state contribution of $12,395 and said the county would fund roughly a 5% match, which the proposed budget accounts for.

Sansone outlined how the FAA funds would be used: widening taxi lanes to a 20-foot standard near hangars, locating a helicopter pad near the terminal area, and installing a backup generator so runway and taxiway lights remain operable during power outages. He said engineering work for the project is budgeted under capital improvements and cited an engineering agreement in the current planning phase.

Commissioners pressed for clarification on draft totals and line-item breakdowns. The draft presentation contained multiple numeric inconsistencies in the transcripted totals; Sansone acknowledged several figures were draft and subject to correction. He presented expense-line examples, including salaries (about $261,200), jet fuel purchases (about $265,000), operating expenses (about $383,530), capital expenditures (about $495,789) and debt payments (~$350,000), and said the overall draft budget showed a small net positive at the operating level.

Commissioners and Sansone discussed federal obligations for airport-generated revenue. Chair Richard Dene noted federally obligated airport revenue generally must remain with the airport; Sansone said revenue can be used for airport-related community benefits (for example scholarships or compatible recreation) so long as use complies with grant obligations.

The commission did not make a final decision on the budget at the meeting; Sansone said the FAA application would be submitted after council approval and that several totals in the draft budget would be reconciled before final presentations to county officials.