At last week’s meeting of the Carroll County Airport Commission, Justice of the Peace Jack Deaton asked for clarification on hangar leases. He also asked if the county’s insurance covered private property at the airport.
In recent months, JP John Howerton has attended CCAC meetings to improve relations between the commission and the quorum court. Deaton took his place Friday, and said he had read that the airport owned some hangars, but others were privately owned. He asked if the county’s insurance covered those properties.
Commissioners explained that the county insures only the buildings, which the county owns. The airport has extended long-term discounted leases to generate funds for new hangars, and those leases will eventually come back to the airport. A group of several such leases will come back to the airport next year, providing a big step toward the goal of self-sufficiency.
Mow as you grow
Airport Manager Michael Pfeifer described the new Hustler mower as “awesome,” and the commissioners said the airport looked especially good for the recent fly-in. Pfeifer has purchased an air-ride seat, and commissioners said they would reimburse the cost.
Pfeifer asked about increasing the price of fuel. The airport has just bought 8,000 gallons of fuel, and he suggested an increase of 10 or 15 percent. The airport currently sells fuel at $4.45 per gallon, and spent $3.92 per gallon for the recent purchase.
Commissioners weighed the increased revenue against the negative publicity among pilots. The current rates keep the airport competitive with most others in the region, and higher rates would reduce traffic. Commissioner Dave Teigen said the lower rates help stimulate weekend visitors, and the county receives other indirect benefits. Everyone agreed to keep the current rate.
The airport’s courtesy cars have been an important asset to the airport and the community at large. Fliers who come to town can find their way to Eureka Springs to help support the tourist economy. The vehicles have deteriorated, and now need frequent repairs. The commissioners decided to retire a van and notify the county to remove it from the property rolls. The airport still has one car in operating condition, but it looks bad. The discussion dealt briefly with ways the commission might obtain better vehicles, and they considered wrapping the vehicles to offer advertising space to help pay for them.
In other business:
- Beginning in July, the state will require an audiotape of all public open meetings, in addition to the minutes. Commissioner Sandy Martin suggested purchasing an inexpensive digital audio recorder and storing the recordings on a computer. She said the commissioners would have to learn to speak one at a time and identify themselves before speaking.
- At previous meetings, the commissioners had discussed the airport’s upcoming master plan. That plan will include potential property acquisitions, for which the Federal Aviation Administration will provide grants. On Friday, commissioners heard that a party owning 15 acres adjacent to the airport would like to sell that property. Consulting Engineer Dan Clinton did not attend this meeting, but had previously cautioned commissioners against negotiating directly with landowners. The FAA will have its own pricing and priorities.