Weslaco approves standardized lease rates at Mid Valley Airport, effective Jan. 1

Weslaco commissioners on Sept. 2 approved new, standardized lease rates for hangars at Mid Valley Airport after reviewing a rent study and recommendations from the Airport Advisory Board. The measure passed after a motion by Commissioner Lopez and a second from Commissioner Gonzales.

City presenter Ms. Lilly summarized the AMCG study and told commissioners the current rent structure lacked consistency across similar zones. "What you have in front of you is current rates at the Mid Valley Airport… and then right next to them you have a yellow column and that's the proposed rates based on the findings of the study," she said. Lilly said the advisory board met multiple times and voted in favor of the suggested rates.

Lilly called out six city-owned corporate hangars whose tenants have made substantial investments in flooring and other improvements; staff recommended a smaller increase for those hangars than the study suggested to reflect tenant investments. "An increase is necessary, but not at the recommendation," Lilly said, describing the compromise figure the advisory board endorsed.

City staff proposed a Jan. 1 effective date to give tenants roughly 90 days to negotiate and budget for the change. The commission approved the motion by voice vote; the mayor declared the motion passed.

The action directs staff to implement the new rate schedule and update lease language as needed; no further public hearing was recorded on the item during this meeting. The Airport Advisory Board chair, Mr. Summers, attended and the city said it had provided notice and tenant outreach during advisory-board review.

Next steps: staff will finalize lease amendments and return any implementation details to the commission, as needed.