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Board to present regional airport authority concept to Cass County; county mills could add funding
Summary
Board agreed to brief Cass County commissioners about forming a regional airport authority that could extend mill levies countywide; staff estimated county‑wide 2 mills could generate roughly $550,000 and noted political and accounting complexities.
The board approved outreach to Cass County commissioners to present the concept of a regional airport authority and to explore countywide mill levy options.
Staff explained that if all townships and cities in Cass County participated, a county-level 2-mill levy could raise about $550,000 (estimates vary depending on participation and existing local airport levies). Board members discussed the complexity of folding in municipalities that already levy funds for their local airports and noted the political sensitivity: townships could elect to keep their airport levy locally rather than transfer it to a regional authority.
Members also discussed governance implications—broadening the taxing base would likely change board composition and require intergovernmental negotiations. The board directed staff to present the regional authority concept to Cass County commissioners next week, gather data and report back on legal and fiscal constraints, including the state’s 3% revenue cap and statutory language on mills that is undergoing updates.
Next steps: staff will meet county leaders, present the concept, collect township mill data and report estimated revenue scenarios and statutory constraints to the board.
