The airport commission met on Nov. 15 and approved a budget for 2025.
Commissioner Sandy Martin walked the others through a draft she had prepared. Commissioners noted that fuel sales were lower this year than last, and the sale of fuel is a significant contributor to the airport’s income. Chair Dave Teigen noted that this airport’s fuel price is very competitive, and a modest price increase would probably not affect sales adversely.
The commissioners approved the budget, with praise for the job Martin did in preparation.
In other business:
- Airport Manager Mark Pepple said fuel sales have picked up again, after problems with the fuel system in October. He also explained that a courtesy car had been involved in an accident. The driver of the other car was at fault, and insurance covered the repair bill.
- A slab has been poured to extend the space outside the terminal for outdoor events.
- Commissioner Walt Kenyon said a weather station will help local pilots, although it will not take the place of the weather-reporting station that commissioners have researched.
- Teigen said he and Pepple have been working on a new ground lease for a hangar 80 feet square on the south side of the airport. The prospective leaseholder has indicated he will begin construction immediately.
- Kenyon had met with an electrician to assess what size generator would be required to operate the terminal and runway lights. The electrician found that the system “had been scabbed onto for years,” Kenyon said. The electrician will tender a quote to fix the electrical system and add a transfer switch for the generator. A 25-kilowatt generator would barely cover the airport’s immediate needs and leave no room for growth. A 35-kilowatt generator would cost twice as much but would ensure adequate power for the future. Commissioners may have to allocate funds to fix the wiring, with the generator purchase postponed until next year.
- Pepple said a hangar scheduled for destruction in the spring has a lot of items in storage that will need to be removed over the winter. Pilots with planes in the hangar will have until the end of March to remove them.
- Pepple received a $2,500 year-end bonus.
- A hangar leaseholder has offered to sell the remainder of his lease back to the airport. The commission still must hold funds to pay for construction projects before receiving reimbursement from grants. The quorum court might allow the commission to finance the purchase, if the figures show the likelihood of payback. Commissioners will look for ways to fund the purchase without involving the quorum court, if possible.
- The commissioners thanked Justice of the Peace John Howerton for his guidance in recent years. Howerton has served as liaison to the commission for the quorum court, but he was defeated for re-election.