Airport authority reviews March finances and key projects; minutes approved

The Clarke County airport authority approved its minutes and reviewed March financial and operations reports, hearing staff say the airport posted $390,000 in Jet A fuel sales and $48,000 in avgas for the month. A staff member identified as Mike told the authority the airport has recorded about 4,236 operations in March and 33,453 operations so far this fiscal year against a 42,000 annual budget target.

The presentation focused on near‑term capital work. Mike said the apron rehabilitation project will be presented to the mayor and commission at a May 5 voting meeting and involves accepting a grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation and a design work authorization for RS&H. "That will take care of a lot of the issues around the commercial terminal — milling and overlay and new LED lighting," Mike said.

On safety equipment, staff reported FAA approvals had cleared the way for an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck procurement; the ARFF agenda item and a supplemental FAA agreement are expected to appear on the June voting meeting agenda as part of an Oshkosh contract, according to staff. "We got approval from the FAA — they had to sign off at several levels — and we're working through the contract now," Mike said. The authority was told the procurement could include factory‑built options that would be eligible for grant funding for certain equipment items.

Staff also briefed the authority on a GDOT supplemental agreement for phase two of perimeter fencing; purchasing, risk and attorney review remain, and county manager approval is required because the amount is under the $200,000 threshold for full commission approval. Separately, a parking‑lot redesign focused on landscaping (rather than solar) is at 100% design completion and is being held ready to apply for GDOT funding when available. "We're finishing the design and we'll have it ready so when GDOT funds fall out, we'll be prepared," Mike said.

Members discussed freight and parking conflicts tied to a year‑to‑year contract that currently allows heavy truck/depot use on airport property; staff said the agreement can be modified or terminated to protect pavement life and to prepare for potential passenger service. The authority also reviewed other project timelines (taxiway rehabilitation, ramp design and early planning for a transient hangar) and community engagement efforts including school visits and a senior‑design partnership with the University of Georgia.

The minutes were approved after a motion by a member identified as Keith and a second by a member identified as Sunny; the transcript records a voice vote but does not provide a roll‑call tally. The meeting ended after scheduling follow‑up presentations and a motion to adjourn that was seconded and carried by voice vote (tally not recorded).