Airport Authority says hangar debt cleared, warns 50-year weather system needs $120,000 replacement

Lou Herbers, representing the Audubon County Airport Authority Board, told the Board of Supervisors on July 23 that the authority has retired debt on a helicopter hangar and is "in a good spot" financially, with ongoing rent revenues helping operations.

Herbers said the airport's Automatic Weather Observing System, an instrument that provides weather observations for pilots, is more than 50 years old, has parts that are obsolete and is not functioning correctly; he estimated a replacement would cost roughly $120,000. He framed the failing unit as a potential liability and urged the county to keep its contribution level to help cover that and eventual terminal building improvements.

Herbers also said a house on airport property will be removed by a controlled burn conducted by the Audubon Fire Department. He recommended the Airport Authority Board reduce its membership to three and asked supervisors to consult the county attorney on the process.

Why it matters: an operational AWOS is important for flight safety and for keeping the airport open for business and emergency operations. Replacing the system would be a significant one-time expense for a small county airport; Herbers asked the Board to consider maintaining its financial support to manage that and future capital needs.

The Board did not adopt a specific funding commitment at the meeting; supervisors agreed to consult attorneys about changing the Airport Authority's membership and to consider the request as part of future budgeting and capital planning.