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Great Falls airport board approves FY2026-27 budget, lease and 2% raise for director
Summary
The Great Falls International Airport Authority Board unanimously approved the FY2026-27 budget, a lease for Jeremiah Johnson and a 2% raise for the airport director at its May 26 meeting. Staff reported revenues roughly 5% above budget and a TBID-backed marketing guarantee aimed at boosting low-cost air service.
The Great Falls International Airport Authority Board on May 26 unanimously approved its FY2026-27 budget, granted a lease to Jeremiah Johnson and authorized a 2% increase to the airport director’s base salary, the board said.
The board convened at 1:00 PM and approved the consent agenda including payroll checks of $114,815.51, maintenance and operations checks #29670–#29740 totaling $952,518.65 and a Passenger Facility Charge remittance of $63,979.24. The FY2026-27 budget was then approved at 1:22 PM after a motion by Commissioner Debra Evans and a second from Commissioner Cameron Swathwood; the vote was unanimous.
Staff presented the Director’s report during the meeting and said airport revenue is expected to finish about 5% above budget while expenses remain on target. Enplanements are projected to be roughly 3% higher than last year, a gain staff attributed to United Airlines adding an Airbus in March. Staff also gave a construction update and reported that the local Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) approved a community guarantee of $200,000 plus an additional $50,000 directed toward a marketing fund to support a low-cost air service initiative. Staff noted an upcoming meeting with MDT (the Montana Department of Transportation) to discuss paving in exchange for land and other project specifics. The board heard that a celebration is planned in July for the terminal’s 50th anniversary and the opening of new terminal space.
At 1:33 PM the board voted to approve the Jeremiah Johnson lease following a motion by Commissioner Sean Hoven and a second by Commissioner Rod Hall; that motion passed unanimously. The board closed the meeting at 1:44 PM for a personnel matter described as the Director’s review; no action was taken during the closed session. The meeting reopened at 2:54 PM, and the board voted to approve a 2% increase to the Director’s base salary, bringing the salary to $205,742.00, on a motion by Commissioner Cameron Swathwood seconded by Commissioner Debra Evans. Commissioner Sean Hoven said he had "tremendous confidence" in the Airport Director, a sentiment echoed by other board members.
There were no public comments during the meeting. The minutes were signed by Chair Liz Whiting and Secretary John Faulkner.
