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Hampton County airport reports steady hangar revenue; council debates restoring staff role
Summary
Airport officials told council the airport collected about $134,000 in fuel and hangar revenue year‑to‑date (through December 2025) and is not asking for new funds now, but fuel price volatility and underfunded debt service have prompted discussion about restoring a salaried on‑site manager role.
An airport and economic development representative briefed the council on March 16 about operations, enterprise fund revenue and staffing at the Hampton County Airport.
The presenter said the airport recorded bank deposits through December 2025 of $60,614.54 for fuel sales and has $78,908 in hangar fees due, which together approximate $134,000 in revenue year‑to‑date; last year’s total collections were a little under $200,000. Fuel costs have been volatile and the presenter said the airport will revisit funding if fuel prices force a shortfall before the administrator’s May recommendation.
The airport currently has no employees assigned; Fred Hamilton serves as the airport manager functionally while holding an economic development role, the presenter said. Council members discussed whether to restore a salaried position for day‑to‑day duties and agreed the salary would likely have been about $25,000 historically. Staff also described plans to pursue NPIS listing (a federal/state classification of public‑use airports) to access capital improvement funding and to add security cameras and perimeter improvements to qualify for state aeronautics funds.
Council asked staff to provide job descriptions and to include any proposed staffing changes in the May budget recommendation so the body can evaluate restoring a position or continuing with contractual arrangements.
Next steps: Administrator and finance will evaluate debt service, enterprise fund projections and whether to add an on‑site manager position in the FY27 recommendation.
