Cheyenne County approves upfront payment for airport beacon and moves to update hangar leases

Cheyenne County commissioners approved paying the full cost to purchase a rotating beacon for the county airport and directed staff to proceed with notices and lease updates for hangar holders.

The clerk told the board the beacon is part of a larger FAA-funded project and that while the Federal Aviation Administration will reimburse the county through the grant process, the county must pay the vendor up front. "I'm requesting that we just pay the whole amount," the clerk said, noting there are sufficient funds in the airport capital improvement fund.

Commissioners discussed how hangar lease payments are recorded and asked staff to send notices to leaseholders to help ensure rents and fees are tracked in county records. The clerk said individual hangars are billed at $100 and commercial leases at $500, consistent with the lease terms on file.

The motion to purchase the beacon and to send lease notices passed by voice vote. The clerk said the county will draw down FAA grant funds after the purchase and complete the reimbursement process once FAA final review is complete.

The county also received an update that Olsen's 2025 airport project is in final stages; staff said a final payment will be requested once FAA completes its review and approves drawdown paperwork. Commissioners were told the project should wrap up in the next few months.

The board took the action by voice vote and did not request further public hearings on the beacon purchase at the meeting.