Board agrees to contribute 13% to Burlington airport change order after city briefing

Chad Byrd, city manager for Burlington, presented an updated memo and cost scenarios asking the county to consider a contribution toward a paving and entryway change order at the Burlington airport.

Byrd described the project as part of an operational improvement tied to an ongoing paving and entryway work and outlined cost‑share scenarios. One supervisor noted a 28‑year agreement that apportions ongoing contributions at 75% Burlington, 13% Des Moines County and 12% West Burlington. The supervisor moved to approve a county contribution consistent with the 13% share under those guidelines; another supervisor seconded the motion and the board recorded an affirmative vote to proceed.

Discussion in the record included differing views on whether the county’s long‑term agreement applies to this specific change‑order contribution; proponents described the item as a special project related to the paving and entryway work and argued 13% represents the county’s historical share for similar special projects. Opponents expressed concern about precedent and the limits of the agreement if other partners do not participate in ongoing operational contributions.

Outcome and next steps: The board approved the contribution motion and asked staff to work with Burlington to finalize the county’s share and any related documentation. The exact dollar amount to be paid by the county was referenced in county materials handed out at the meeting and summarized in the city manager’s memo but was not read into the record clearly enough to be quoted verbatim in the transcript.