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Jasper County airport staff present draft 2027 budget and project plans; no quorum to approve
Summary
Airport staff presented a draft 2027 budget that relies on grant awards and projected operating revenue, detailed proposed capital projects (taxiway widening, a LifeFlight helipad and a runway‑light backup generator), and reported improved quarterly operations metrics. The commission had no quorum, so no formal vote occurred.
Jasper County Airport staff presented a draft 2027 budget and outlined planned capital work at the commission’s March 11 meeting, but the commission could not take action because there was no quorum.
Mr. Sansson, presenting the budget as county staff, said the figures are preliminary. He reported non‑operating revenue of $833,395 (grants and tax sources) and operating revenue of $917,710, which together amount to roughly $1.75 million in projected revenue. He emphasized some grant lines depend on award decisions and council approval.
The draft budget lists major expense categories including salaries and wages ($261,200), utilities ($26,700), materials and supplies ($383,530), travel ($11,000), contract services ($180,290), capital expenditures ($495,789) and a debt payment of $350,000 tied to prior runway paving. After accounting for projected revenues and required sponsor matches for grants, staff said the draft budget shows an approximate $9,000 surplus.
Staff described three capital priorities that would be funded if grant awards materialize: widening two taxiway segments to a consistent 20‑foot width, installing a formal helicopter landing pad next to emergency services to support LifeFlight night operations, and adding a backup generator to power runway lighting during outages. On the funding side, Mr. Sansson said FAA and state grants are being pursued in line with the airport’s capital improvement plan and that accommodation‑tax revenues used for a loan payment are expected to continue.
Procurement is restarting for the projects: staff said bids issued last year must be reissued because the work was paused, and the airport is notifying previous bidders that the work is back out to bid.
Staff also reviewed recent operational performance. For the second fiscal quarter, the airport uplifted 24,885 gallons of fuel, generating $119,396 in fuel revenue with a fuel cost of $72,224 and a fuel sales margin of $47,171. The airport logged 5,389 flight operations in the quarter (a takeoff or landing counts as one operation) and reported 289 counted passengers; staff cautioned these figures undercount operations that involve aircraft without ADS‑B transponders and said data capture is being improved.
On staffing, Mr. Sansson said the airport employs five full‑time staff members and does not plan to add positions for 2027. Commissioners asked for a side‑by‑side comparison with the 2026 budget; staff said that package will be provided when the regular materials are available.
Because the commission lacked a quorum, the budget was presented for discussion and feedback only; staff said the commission will revisit the draft for endorsement and then present it to the county council for further review once a quorum is present.
The commission set its next meeting for April 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. and adjourned.
