County staff: FAA will repave runway at no county cost; highway budget expects modest increases in materials and fuel

County finance staff told the budget committee that the Federal Aviation Administration is scheduled to repave and restripe the county airport runway beginning May 27 for a roughly $1 million project that the county will not be asked to fund. The staff noted the airport will shut down for about nine days to accommodate the work.

Highway department representatives summarized their budget request, saying overall revenues are similar to last year but that they expect modest increases in materials and fuel costs in the coming fiscal year. Staff reported on fuel storage (about 2,000 gallons of diesel and 1,000 gallons of gasoline on site), projected fuel usage (two‑to‑three weeks of supply depending on season), and equipment shortfalls: the department operates on a small fleet and plans to seek financing for new equipment if interest rates permit.

Highway staff also described bridge and FEMA disaster‑relief revenues expected to be included next fiscal year and explained how they estimate line items using prior year expenditures and statewide guidance.

What’s next: staff will return with finalized bid results after the week’s letting and will present any required budget adjustments at the committee’s final meeting prior to legislative body review.