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Adams County accepts $900,000 congressional earmark, agrees to local match for larger airport rescue vehicle
Summary
Shaver Engineers told supervisors the county has a $900,000 congressional earmark for an Index‑B (1,500‑gallon) ARFF vehicle and recommended obligating the funds and completing a FAA runway‑safety grading study; the board approved pursuing the earmark and authorized the FAA study with a small local match.
Adams County’s board voted to move forward with two airport steps after hearing from Shaver Engineers: obligating a $900,000 congressional earmark for an aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle and authorizing an FAA‑recommended engineering study of runway safety‑area grades.
Grahams, identified as Shaver Engineers’ aviation assistance lead, told the board the earmark totals $900,000 but that an Index‑B ARFF vehicle suitable for commercial service at the airport would cost about $1.2 million, leaving an expected local share of roughly $300,000. He also said FAA recommended a focused engineering study of slopes and grading around the runway safety area; the study was represented as eligible for federal funding (about 95% federal / 5% local for the cited $7,000 estimate).
Board members asked about funding sources and timing; staff said the county would need to obligate the earmark before the federal fiscal year 2026 close or risk losing it. Supervisors approved moving forward to obligate the funds and to proceed with the FAA study and associated local match obligations as presented.
The board also briefly discussed procurement timing: an ARFF vehicle has a long lead time (the presentation listed about 24 months), which will affect scheduling and budgeting. County staff said they will return with procurement steps and identify the funding source for the local match in future budget discussions.
