By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

By the next snowfall season, the Hays Regional Airport should have a new snow broom to use in cleaning snow from the runways, taxiways and apron areas.

City commissioners Thursday night voted to authorize staff to submit an application for federal assistance for purchase of a snow broom and accept the low bid of $157,524 from M-B Companies, Inc. of Chilton, Wisconsin. The purchase is contingent upon a Federal Aviation Administration grant offer.

A snow broom is eligible for FAA Airport Improvement Program funding, which covers 90 percent of eligible costs, according to Assistant Public Works Director John Braun.

Although the airport now has jet service provided by SkyWest, that change is not the reason for the new, larger snow broom, Braun explained.

“It’s based on Hays having commercial air service, period. We fall into a certain category of airport with the FAA, with requirements to remove one inch of wet snow or three inches of dry snow within an hour after the snowfall stops,” he said.

“Based on the prime areas we have to clean as required by the FAA, this broom is what will do the job.”