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FAA clarifies exemption, POA to reengage and TxDOT funding eyed at Lago Vista airport advisory meeting
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Lago Vista Airport Advisory Board discussed an FAA letter affirming a Section 185 exemption that clears a path for funding, reported progress on a voluntary POA maintenance agreement, reviewed TxDOT funding prospects for pavement and safety work, and reappointed officers by acclamation.
James Peck, acting as facilitator of the meeting, opened the Lago Vista Airport Advisory Board session on Jan. 20 and led a roll call before turning to staff reports and substantive agenda items.
City Manager Charles Lehi told the board that TxDOT approved a grant to replace the airport's AWOS, and that bid proposals would be requested shortly. The board then moved to elect officers; Jim Eigwalt moved to reappoint the current officers by acclamation to preserve continuity during ongoing grant work, Kristen Jernigan seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Steve Lowry summarized a Nov. 25, 2025 letter the city received from the Federal Aviation Administration. According to Lowry, the FAA affirmed that the Section 185 exemption applies to Lago Vista and clarified that property‑owner association (POA) maintenance‑funding arrangements do not change legal access to movement areas. Lowry said the FAA letter also reminded the city of the importance of FAA grant assurances and directed any follow‑up questions to Dan Harmon at TxDOT. The board agreed to have city communicators coordinate a response and to continue outreach with TxDOT to keep scheduled funding on track.
Kristen Jernigan, who serves on the liaison subcommittee with Linda Eary, reported that the POA board unanimously voted on Jan. 11 to reengage with the city and review a draft voluntary maintenance agreement prepared by the advisory board. Jernigan said the POA will discuss edits at its Jan. 31 meeting and, if approved, return the draft to the city for review. Board members proposed a meeting with city staff and the city attorney to examine the draft and prepare any Council materials.
The board spent the bulk of its discussion on TxDOT funding prospects and near‑term maintenance priorities. Members said TxDOT has signaled interest in a significant rehabilitation project that could address runway and taxiway pavement and some lighting work, with engineering work planned this calendar year to define final scope. Board members cited several funding streams the city can pursue in the interim, including NIPEAS funds (noted in the meeting as up to roughly $150,000 per year) and TxDOT ramp‑grant programs that typically use a 90/10 match. Speakers said TxDOT's larger rehabilitation funding could be programmed for fiscal year 2027 or 2028, and emphasized the need to identify maintenance items now that could be reimbursed or staged ahead of a major project.
Members also discussed revenue projects that could improve airport self‑sufficiency, including a previously authorized southwest box‑hangar development. Meeting statements referenced a 2019 revenue projection of about $55,000–$60,000 per year from hangar rents, though members acknowledged construction costs have risen since that estimate. Board members proposed exploring pairing hangar development or fuel sales (jet‑A) with larger rehabilitation work where feasible.
The board closed by agreeing to continue coordination among the liaison committee, city staff and TxDOT; a follow‑up meeting was planned to review the POA draft and to prepare for a subsequent discussion with TxDOT. The meeting adjourned.
