Board hears plan to remove aging fuel farm; temporary closure with state to start process

Airport manager Zach Papp told the board the airport plans to enter a temporary closure with the state to allow removal of an aging fuel farm and tanks. He said the temporary closure gives the airport 12 months to remove tanks and complete the closure process.

"We are gonna enter into a temporary closure with the state for 12 months, and that gives us 12 months to get to the complete closure of the old fuel farm, which will be removing the tanks," Papp said. He noted estimated cost-sharing: the airport is eligible for state oil funding at roughly $2 per gallon up to $50,000 and could receive about $48,000 toward the removal.

Papp added the airport has a $500,000 discretionary state grant for taxiway alpha extension and is exploring whether leftover funds from that allocation could be shifted to help cover fuel-farm removal or the master drainage plan. Board members emphasized caution about timing, cost and justification for continuing infrastructure work while local revenues remain tight.