County board approves airport development concept after sustained public concern over riverside hangars

The Sawyer County Board voted to approve the recommended development alternative in Chapter 5 of the airport master plan, allowing the consultants to continue environmental and detailed planning work. Supervisor John Rimer moved the motion and Supervisor Randy Newman seconded it; a roll‑call vote carried the motion. The approval authorizes further master‑plan work (environmental review, phasing and detailed design) but does not obligate the county to immediate construction.

Residents urged caution. Ron Almer, who lives adjacent to airport property, urged the board to remove hanger development from the nine‑acre parcel west of Airport Road and to require an environmental assessment before proceeding: “we would prefer that you do another environmental assessment ... table the plan,” he said. Nancy Shrier told the board she researched federal guidance and concluded the FAA can influence expansion through grant funding but does not mandate county expansion; she urged legal review and cost‑benefit analysis before final decisions.

Consultants handling the master plan clarified federal constraints and process. Mike Deko of Kaufman Associates apologized for imprecise language previously used about FAA “ownership” and explained that while deed title is held by the county, FAA grant assurances create long‑term obligations: “the register of deeds shows Sawyer County as the owner of the airport… the money paid for the land was gifted by the federal government which gives you an encumbrance in perpetuity… that this will be FAA’s controlling authority over the property,” he said. He emphasized that the development alternative is conceptual and that any project would require environmental assessments and public review.

Related airport actions approved at the meeting: the board agreed to grant a 10‑year extension of an existing hangar lease (staff recommended the extension because neither the county nor the seller flagged the expired option), and to waive the county’s right of first refusal to permit assignment of the lease from Ron Cour Halls to James Robert Fox. The board also approved an amended five‑year airport management agreement with Hayward Aviation that raises monthly compensation (10% increase year one, 2.5% in subsequent years). County staff noted the airport is not self‑sustaining and receives net county support.

Why it matters: the board’s vote lets the consultant complete the master plan (including environmental review and public involvement) but does not commit the county to construction or property acquisition. Neighbors and environmental advocates urged additional analysis before any site changes near the Namekagon River. The hangar transaction and management‑agreement decisions alter near‑term airport administration and revenue streams but do not change ownership of airport land.

What’s next: consultants will continue master‑plan work and perform environmental studies as needed before any project advances; staff will finalize the hangar lease assignment and implement the new management contract terms.