Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Regional Airport Commission approved their proposed budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1 during Monday night’s regular meeting. Commission members also heard a brief city council report and a report from the airport manager.

Present for the meeting were Dale Logsdon, Paul Kinzie, Calleb Mosburg and Kelly Parker. The airport commission is still short one member after the resignation of Terry Turner.

Airport Manager Derrick Courson said fuel sales have picked up. The airport sold 2,393.59 gallons of 100LL fuel for $8,550.90 and 2,956 gallons of Jet-A for $8,868.00. With oil sales and hangar rental, the revenue for April totaled $17,542.44. Last year in April, the airport had $10,233.39 in sales. Courson said Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the busiest days for fuel sales at the airport.

He reported on several maintenance issues. The 3-point mower has been taken in for repairs.

There have been a lot of pigeons, crows and other birds around the airport. Courson said he’s always wanted a boom cannon, and it would be useful for the birds. However, City Business Manager Angelica Brady vetoed the idea.

Proposed Budget

Brady went over the proposed budget for next year. On the revenue side, Brady said this year’s fuel sales were adjusted to reflect current fuel prices which added $30,000 in projected fuel sales.

The budget for salary expense was adjusted to reflect a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment and step increases for employees.

An ice machine was added into the capital outlay budget. The machine can either be leased or purchased. A quoted sale price would be $2,616.66 including installation. A preventative maintenance contract at $295 would cover twice a year visits and filter changes. Commission members discussed leasing the unit for a year to determine the demand for ice. Then if the use warrants it, a machine could be purchased. Leasing for three years would be about the same cost as buying it outright with maintenance added.

Capital outlay would also include $7,565 for a GPU. The unit can be used to start an aircraft that is having battery issues. If plugged into a power source, it can be used to run the air conditioner running on an aircraft to keep passengers comfortable while a plane refuels. The unit is designed for all aircraft including voltage sensitive aircraft that cannot accept a true 28V battery pack.

Brady said she and Courson also discussed the purchase of spraying equipment to keep down weeds at the airport. She recommends having the city buy a sprayer that can be used in several departments like the airport, cemetery and recreation complex.

There was also some discussion about equipment used to mow the turf runway. Courson said he has been using the small tractor and the 3-point mower there. However, it takes all afternoon to mow it. The mowing could become difficult as summer progresses and grass grows thicker. Logsdon said by July the tractor tires will make less impact (less chance of making ruts) on the surface so the bigger tractor would work then.

Parker made a motion, seconded by Kinzie, to approve the proposed budget totaling $935,334. It was approved by a unanimous vote.

Commission Comments

Parker said he had been around a lot of folks the last couple of weeks and, “I’m hearing nothing but praise for the job Derrick is doing out here, and we appreciate it. We don’t always hear that kind of praise.”

Logsdon agreed saying, “I haven’t heard anything negative.” He said everyone tells him to “keep Derrick out there.”