The Carroll County Airport Commission met last Friday and plans big steps toward self-sufficiency next year, but a new Master Plan may tie up $20,000 before grants reimburse the cost.
The airport has offered long-term leases at discounted rates to generate funds to build new hangars. In the short term those hangars did not provide income, but four of those leases expire next year and the airport will then make almost $10,000 annually from those four. Commissioner Dave Teigen saw this as a big step toward the goal of self-sufficiency for the airport.
The owner of one of those leases is moving to a new hangar, and asked commission approval to sublet his existing hangar and split the $200 monthly rent with the airport. Commissioners saw this as a welcome donation, but had concerns about the legal arrangements. Instead of appearing on the sub-lease as a party, the airport will have the sub-leaser pay the current leaseholder. He can then make a tax-deductible contribution to the airport, which has 501(c)3 status.
Consulting Engineer Dan Clinton urged the commission to complete a current hangar project as quickly as possible to begin generating income. He said an upcoming test of instrumentation would cost $8,500, and grants will pay for that certification but the airport will have to carry that expense for a few months. A similar situation will arise with the new Master Plan, required by the FAA. That project will cost $200,000, and although state and federal grants will pay the cost, the airport may have to carry $20,000 for as long as a year.
Commissioners have discussed replacing an eight-bay awning hangar with an enclosed space with larger bays. Clinton suggested waiting until later in the year to apply for a state grant for that project. Because of reduced collections in the past year, their grant limits have been reduced from $400,000 to $250,000, and the planned project would cost close to $400,000. Clinton said he expects the grant limits to increase again later in the year.
The quorum court passed a resolution May 20 to authorize the lease of a new Hustler 102-in. zero-turn mower. The commissioners had also considered a Kubota tractor in a similar price range, just under $20,000. Although the airport will have a new and more efficient mower, Pfeifer will continue looking for part-time mowing help. The position would have a flexible schedule, with eight hours per week at $15 an hour.
In other business:
- The commission approved a $28,000 fuel purchase. The airport currently makes about a dollar a gallon on fuel sales. Pfeifer estimated that amount of fuel would last through the summer.
- Commissioners planned to contact the city of Berryville to see if new water lines near the airport could include a fire hydrant. The hydrant could provide fire protection for airport buildings, and could also supply fire-fighting aircraft.