Kootenai County adopts 2026 airport fee schedule and approves multiple leases and contracts

Kootenai County commissioners on March 31 approved a set of airport-related measures: a new 2026 airport fee schedule (Resolution 2026-37), multiple land-use and development leases with the Idaho Department of Lands and private developers, and final payments and contracts related to airport vehicle and facility work.

Kim Stevenson, speaking for the airport, said a subcommittee of the Airport Advisory Board reviewed fees and recommended changes to several charges (only a few exceeded 5%). She said the airport created a new schedule for ramp parking and is coordinating with PayPort to upgrade payment interfaces for tenants and visitors. "We have only a few that went over the 5%... We created a whole new schedule for ramp parking for aircraft," Stevenson said.

The board opened and closed the public hearing on the fee schedule with no public speakers, ended public testimony, entered deliberations and approved Resolution 2026-37 by unanimous voice vote.

During the same meeting the board unanimously approved a land-use agreement (26-002) with the Idaho Department of Lands for the West ramp for the 2026 fire season (performance period May 10 to Oct. 20, 2026), a development lease to expand the tanker base (2026-004) covering about 20 acres and producing $43,560 in annual revenue at $0.05 per square foot, and two hangar development leases (AAL-2026-200 and AAL-2026-500) with Jim Chamberlain Enterprises LLC for parcels on the airfield. The airport also presented a seventh and final invoice to CW Outfitters for $18,057.13 to upfit trucks; that project closed under budget with approximately $20,000 remaining in the project account.

All of the airport-related items recorded unanimous approval. The approved fee changes take effect as specified in Resolution 2026-37; staff said they will coordinate implementation and tenant notifications through airport channels.