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Kirksville council approves airport lease amendment tied to federal executive order, new airline lease and terminal change orders
Summary
The Kirksville City Council approved a GSA lease amendment tied to Executive Order 14398, a new lease with Contour Airlines to provide essential air service, and two construction change orders for the new terminal; staff said federal rules drive the GSA language and that FAA funds and current budgets cover the terminal work.
The Kirksville City Council on a voice vote approved three airport-related measures, advancing a lease amendment tied to a federal executive order, a new lease with an air carrier and change orders on the city’s new terminal.
City attorney/city clerk read Bill 2026‑25, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to sign a lease amendment with the General Services Administration to ensure compliance with Executive Order 14398, which addresses nondiscrimination and diversity, equity and inclusion requirements for federal contractors. Jeff Lafountain, the airport report director, told the council the measure applies to the TSA lease space at the Kirksville Regional Airport and said “there would be no physical impact” from accepting the amendment. A citizen, identifying himself as Josiah, said the language in the federal executive order feels “hurtful and disgusting” to some residents and urged sensitivity; Mayor Zach Burton responded that the city remains committed to serving and welcoming all people.
The council also approved Bill 2026‑26, authorizing a lease with Corporate Flight Management, Inc., doing business as Contour Airlines, after Lafountain said the U.S. Department of Transportation selected Contour’s option for scheduled service (flights to Chicago and Dallas). Lafountain said the approved lease follows DOT’s recommendation and noted a landing fee increase from $40 to $60 per landing in the new agreement.
On a related item, the council approved Bill 2026‑27 to authorize change orders 6 and 7 with Coyle Construction for the airport terminal. Lafountain explained change order 6 (about $44,700.06) covers apron repairs — 14 damaged 10-by-10 concrete panels where aircraft park — and change order 7 (about $97,967) covers TSA site relocation and data cabling, HVAC and interior finish work after the decision to remove a costly ‘‘flip flow’’ security machine that the airport would not be able to use fully. Lafountain said most work will be funded with FAA relocation funds and that the city is operating “under budget” for the terminal project; he also said staff expects at least one more change order at project closeout.
All three ordinances passed on first and second readings by voice vote.
What’s next: staff said the airline will begin operations under the new lease and that the first flights from the new terminal were scheduled to start the week of the meeting, with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony to follow after demolition of the old terminal and final site cleanup.
