Council approves option-to-purchase step for proposed airport relocation; consultant outlines funding and environmental steps

The Rexburg City Council on April 15 authorized staff to proceed with an option agreement to acquire land tied to a proposed airport relocation, after a presentation by airport relocation consultant Craig Kobia.

Kobia (vice chair of the airport board) described recent stakeholder coordination that included the FAA, the Bureau of Land Management and the engineering firm Ardura. He said the board is pursuing an option to purchase roughly 4xx acres (described as the replacement parcel in packet materials) so the project can move forward with FAA environmental and design work without the risk of a later land-title issue.

Kobia cautioned that cost estimates have varied — earlier studies cited about $40 million while more recent discussions have floated figures up to $100 million — and he described the typical federal funding model the team is pursuing: the FAA may provide around 90% of eligible project costs, the state typically provides a small share (quoted in the meeting as roughly 4–6%), and the remaining local match would be split between the city and county. The consultant also detailed a land-exchange requirement with the BLM to replace habitat affected by the airport site.

Council members asked about participation and reserves; staff said the city and county had been setting aside funds in prior years to cover the local match against a now-higher cost estimate and that Ardura is preparing refined cost estimates and a project timeline. After discussion, Council Member Colin Ericson moved, and a second was received, and the council approved proceeding with the option agreement by unanimous assent.

Council members thanked Kobia for recent progress and noted ongoing work is needed on financing, environmental review and procurement.