Atkinson Municipal Airport presents 2027 budget needs; FAA covers most airfield costs, city pays local share

Atkinson Municipal Airport manager Bill Pile told the Pittsburg study session that the airport handles a diverse mix of aircraft and logs about 10,000 takeoffs and landings annually, and that jet fuel sales account for the largest portion of operating revenue.

“The aircraft parking ramp just to show … we got a couple light twins, small jets, and couple single engines,” Pile said, adding: “we got approximately, you know, throughout the year about 10,000 landings, landing, and takeoffs a year. And that's just approximate since we're not there every day. We don't have a exact count.”

Why it matters: Pile framed routine maintenance and periodic capital projects as essential to keep the airport operational and to retain business‑jet capability. He listed recent work — a nearly $2.3 million apron reconstruction, taxiway reconstruction and routine runway seal coating — and flagged upcoming projects including reconstruction of the T‑hangar taxi lane and an update of the airport master plan (the current plan is roughly 20 years old).

Funding and local obligation: City staff said the Federal Aviation Administration and state programs cover the large majority of costs for eligible airfield infrastructure. “The FAA funds are quite … they give us at least 90% in the past,” Jay said during the discussion, noting some recent grants have had even more generous splits. Pile emphasized, however, the FAA will not fund improvements that generate revenue (for example, hangar doors or some fuel‑system upgrades), leaving the city responsible for those work items or for finding alternate funding.

Operational and capital details: Pile gave several specifics the council may factor into budget planning: the main runway is about 6,100 feet and can accommodate business jets; the airport has roughly 30 based aircraft (about four jets, three twins and 23 singles); Jet A storage is about 20,000 gallons and Avgas storage about 12,000 gallons; and Jet A deliveries currently come through a single supplier using a contract fuel card system (AFuel) that eliminates retail credit‑card fees.

Pile also explained a $250,000 transfer from the general fund appeared in the 2025 miscellaneous revenue line, when councilors asked about a $262,000 figure in the packet.

Staffing and operations: The airport is non‑towered; pilots use a common traffic advisory frequency and wirelessly control runway lighting. Pile said three attendants staff the field (two with 5–7 years’ experience and one recent hire), they are not on site 24/7 and after‑hours calls route to a cell phone.

What’s next: Staff requested council consideration of the local share for upcoming projects, inclusion of fuel‑system and hangar needs in longer‑range capital planning, and support for a master‑plan update (FAA funding for that update was noted). Councilors thanked Pile for long service and commended airport staff.

Ending: The study session moved on after the presentation; no binding action or vote on capital expenditures occurred during this session.