Facing leadership change at airport, city will discuss terminal, funding

Hays Regional Airport is expected to be the topic of considerable discussion when the Hays City Commission meets in work session Thursday.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, one hour earlier than usual.

The city will discuss both an airport terminal renovation project and future funding sources for the airport — and this as a change of administration is occurring at the facility.

Airport Manager Bob Johnson submitted his resignation to the city Friday, according to Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno, who said the city will seek to fill that position in the near future.

One bid for a renovation of the airport terminal renovation was received late last month. the bid of just less than $1.2 million from Paul Wertenberger Construction, Hays, comes in slightly lower than estimates, according to a memo to commissioners from I.D. Creech, Hays public works director.

The Federal Aviation Administration would fund approximately $918,000 of the project, with the city’s matching funds estimated at approximately $466,000.

The terminal, constructed in 1991, has a number of leaks in the roof, and Creech said problems are beginning to mount with the ventilation systems.

Larger planes scheduled to fly out of the airport in August will increase the need for larger security screening and holding areas, as well, which would be factored into the renovation.

The commission also will hear from Creech on future funding of the airport, which staff has determined will not be sufficient in the future without changes.

Projected operating budgets for the airport range from $362,000 in 2015 to $382,000 in 2020, with a capital budget from $218,000 in 2015 to $520,000 in 2020.

Options on the table include a passenger charge, slight increase in lease fees and an increase in fuel charges, Creech said in a memo to commissioners. A discussion of the city’s mill levy and how it is used to fund airport operations also is included in the memo.

A complete agenda for Thursday’s meeting can be seen HERE.