Airport board wins county and town approval for capital-heavy budget; de-icing pad and pavement repairs planned

The Teton County and Town of Jackson governing bodies unanimously approved the airport's FY27 budget at a joint meeting April 28 after a detailed presentation by airport director Jim Ellwood and Michelle Anderson.

Ellwood highlighted three capital priorities for the coming year: final phases of a multi-stage de-icing pad project (total program cost discussed in the packet at about $70 million, with roughly $27 million slated to move forward this fiscal year), a baggage-handling system modernization in partnership with TSA (the airport will build and operate conveyor and building components and TSA will fund screening equipment), and a multi-phase Axiway rehabilitation that could total roughly $40 million when fully funded.

"All phases have come in on time and on budget," Ellwood said of recent airport capital projects, and he asked boards to adopt the airport's combined operating and capital plan. Airport staff presented a consolidated financial picture showing about $16 million of net airport operating revenues available for capital and bond sources and an overall small positive net income in the combined budget.

The airport also requested $100,000 for a parking study — staff said the study will examine on- and off-airport options and that the airport will coordinate with town and START staff on parking and potential remote parking/transfer solutions.

After questions about environmental programs and accounting allocations, Commissioner Gardner moved to adopt the airport budget and Commissioner Probst seconded; both municipal bodies recorded unanimous approval.

Airport staff said they will continue to pursue FAA grants and other external funding to offset major pavement and infrastructure work and will return to the boards with required procurement and grant updates as the projects proceed.

Direct quotes in this piece come from the airport presentation and Q&A recorded in the transcript.