Airport manager outlines maintenance priorities: interim supervisor, roof repairs, new equipment requests

Airport staff told the Board of Aviation that Ricky Jackson is serving as interim airfield maintenance supervisor while the city completes recruitment for the permanent position. Staff said Jackson — an existing airfield technician — has applied for the permanent supervisor post and interviews will follow.

Staff requested board approval of an agreement with Midland Engineering to repair the Southside maintenance building roof. The quoted price presented in the meeting for the roof work was $87,000; the redevelopment commission had previously approved an amount not to exceed $100,000. The board approved the agreement by roll call.

In the manager’s report staff also described capital considerations for the next budget cycle: replacing six aging garage doors and operators at the maintenance building, purchasing two Kubota utility tractors with attachments instead of a proposed F-350 replacement for Truck 12, and acquiring a modern surface friction measurement device to replace an outdated device called 'Taply.' Staff noted the maintenance building roof, garage doors, and the friction device would likely be capital requests in the next fiscal budget. The manager also said the department will receive new telephones and is preparing the budget due July 7.

The board approved the roof agreement and directed staff to proceed with the scope as presented. Staff said they will return with detailed quotes and capital requests during budget deliberations.