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Committee backs airport project, asks for written confirmation of state match before spending
Summary
The Lawrence Finance Committee voted to send an airport terminal item to the full council with a favorable recommendation contingent on written confirmation of state matching funds and a written notice to council when the full funding package is secured.
Councilor Marmal pressed airport staff for clarity over how the city would proceed while state matching funds remained unconfirmed, saying the request created “the sentiment of like signing a blank check.” Airport staff said the project is at about 90% design and that construction and bidding would be paused if the anticipated state grant does not materialize.
The committee voted to forward the item to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation conditioned on receiving written confirmation of the state match and a written communication to council once the funding balance is secured. Airport staff told the committee the city would borrow only its 5% share if needed but had no plan to draw the money until the full funding package was in place.
The vote does not authorize immediate spending; it sends the item on to the council for final approval with the committee's requested contingencies in place. The next step is a full council hearing and, if confirmed there, a formal appropriation and procurement process tied to the project's bid timeline.
