Meriwether County approves up to $200,000 local match to secure $1M FAA apron rehab grant

The Meriwether County Board of Commissioners voted April 13 to authorize up to $200,000 from excess county funds as a local match for an FAA-funded apron and ramp rehabilitation at the county airport.

County staff and airport representatives briefed the board that the project is estimated at about $1.2 million, with approximately $1 million expected to come from federal sources if the county commits the local portion. Staff advised that the county's share would be capped at $200,000 and could be funded from excess revenue or the public service utility receipts; any allocation requiring use of fund balance would come back to the board as a budget amendment.

Commissioners pressed staff about the engineering and contract management costs tied to the project. Board members asked whether the county's existing engineering contract could be used to reduce the county's outlay, and questioned a reported engineering fee range (discussed during the meeting as roughly 10% on some projects versus as high as about 16% on this job). County staff responded that FAA grant rules require contractors and engineering oversight that comply with FAA specifications and that the FAA inspects work before final payment; staff also said bids will be solicited from firms qualified under FAA requirements.

Given the FAA compliance and inspection requirements, plus a limited bid pool of firms experienced with airport projects, commissioners weighed the risk of delaying approval (and potentially losing the federal funding) against seeking further cost clarification from the county's engineering vendor. The board settled on a motion to approve the match with a not-to-exceed cap of $200,000 and direction for staff to manage timing and any required budget amendments if work or spending extends into the next fiscal year.

The board noted the ramp/apron condition was identified during a recent FAA inspection; staff said FAA and state grant processes often present tight timelines for work that must be completed in warmer months, and that failing to accept an offered federal award could shift the full cost burden to the county.

Next steps: staff will finalize bid specifications consistent with FAA requirements and return to the board as needed for budget amendments once a bid and final county contribution are known.