As members of the Carroll County Airport Commission looked over the first draft of a 2026 budget, they discussed continuing efforts to eliminate the need for direct funding from the county.
At a meeting on Nov. 21, commissioner Sandy Martin gave a detailed explanation of reserves and expenses. She pointed out projects that will require the airport to pay contractors with cash on hand before receiving reimbursement from state or federal grants. Martin said the final budget should be ready for passage at the Dec. 19 meeting.
The airport has obtained grant funding for new hangars, and revenues from those hangars will help the airport reach its goals of self-sufficiency.
Consulting Engineer Joey Wallace said the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics has money available for grants, including a 90/10 grant that will help pay for new hangars. The airport will also be eligible for an 80/20 grant.
In other business:
- Airport Manager Mark Pepple said the 2024 Legislative Audit found a shortcoming. Reconciliation of the checkbook was in the wrong format. Pepple said problems with the fuel system have been corrected, and those problems led to very low fuel sales last month. Those sales have begun to rebound.
- Justice of the Peace Matt Phillips serves as liaison between the commission and the quorum court. He reminded commissioners that the county will have to pay a $20,000 fee for a federal audit of the airport’s grants. The airport may receive other grant funds to reimburse the cost of an audit.
- Construction is under way to install a jet fuel tank near the existing fuel tank. The commissioners also discussed other future upgrades to the fuel system.
- The terminal building needs some exterior repairs, including replacing some concrete siding. Wallace said grant money should be available for the repairs and suggested reaching out for bids on the project.
- Commissioners continued plans to offer an annual scholarship to a local student.
- The western end of the airport is served by a water well, and commissioners considered the cost of supplying city water to that end of the airport.
- Tinting windows may help with cooling costs at the terminal. Pepple said anyone standing near a sun-facing window can immediately understand the problem with solar gain. Commissioners may also consider awnings that would shade the windows in summer while still allowing passive solar gain during the winter.
- The commission currently has a vacant position, and commissioners will choose from among several candidates at the December meeting.