Board approves $1.28 million increase for New Century Air Center electrical vault project

Johnson County’s Board of County Commissioners approved a project authority increase May 28 of $899,629, bringing the New Century Air Center electrical vault project total to $1,275,629. The project will replace a 1990 electrical vault with a modern, weather‑protected structure, add airfield lighting system connections to the new control tower and include a backup generator.

Brian Johnson, executive director of the Johnson County Airport Commission, said the existing vault is rudimentary and accessed outdoors; the new vault will improve safety for staff and contractors, protect navigation aids and provide more reliable power distribution for runway and taxiway lighting. Johnson said added scope items and modernization drove the revised estimate; he indicated engineer estimates were within 5 percent of the current request and that the Airport Commission had authorized vendor selection before bringing the funding request to the board.

Commissioners asked about the procurement and the absence of a side‑by‑side bid comparison in the county briefing packet. Staff explained the board’s action sought project authority and the Airport Commission will handle procurement and contract approval; staff also confirmed two bidders responded and the low bidder was Third Generation Electric of Tulsa.

The board voted 7‑0 to authorize the project authority increase and reallocation of airport enterprise reserve funds to support the project. Staff said the reserve will remain in good standing after the transfer and that the project ties to FAA‑approved funding and the airport’s Vision 2030 master plan.