Dunmir council approves 20% increase for city‑owned airport hangars

The Dunmir City Council voted April 2 to raise monthly rents for the city’s eight city‑owned airport hangars by 20%, a change councilors said is intended to help the municipal airport better cover operating costs.

Council Member Brian moved the amendment to the airport Schedule A fee table, proposing a 20% across‑the‑board increase for hangars A through H, with fees rounded down to the nearest dollar. Council Member Claro seconded the motion. After a roll‑call vote — Council Member Claro, Council Member Brian and Vice Mayor Sebring voted in favor; Mayor Lucazi voted in favor as well — the motion carried.

"This airport is a vital regional asset for wildland firefighting and other public uses," Council Member Brian said during debate, arguing that hangar tenants who can afford planes should bear more of rising operational costs. City staff had told the council federal guidance expects airports to be run like enterprises that are reasonably profitable.

Staff explained the fee package distinguishes between city‑owned hangars and long‑term ground leases written decades ago; a number of ground leases were negotiated at low fixed rates many years ago and remain less flexible. At the meeting staff said some city‑owned hangars previously rented for roughly $288 per month; a 20% increase would bring that roughly to the mid‑$300 range, depending on the unit.

Councilors said they will monitor vacancy and market signals and brought up the possibility of returning if raising rates creates unexpected vacancies. "If they all leave, bring it back to council for future consideration," Council Member Claro said during the discussion.

The council approved the revised Schedule A fees by voice/roll call and directed staff to report back if market conditions change.