The Blair Municipal Airport has been awarded a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant for approximately $195,000 to go toward an update to its airport layout plan (ALP).
The airport published its ALP in October 1999; they typically last 10 to 20 years. The plan details the airport’s existing facilities and future development. In April, the Blair Airport Authority approved a contract with Coffman Associates to draft the ALP. The contract was for $210,942, contingent on approval from the FAA and the FAA grant.
The ALP update is necessary for the Airport Authority to begin planning a runway extension. Airport manager Rod Storm said they want to extend the 4,200-foot runway to 5,500 feet.
Storm expects the ALP to be completed in less than two years.
On Tuesday, the Airport Authority approved the airport’s 2016-17 fiscal year budget 3-0; board members Dave Johnson and Don Woodhull were absent. The $163,548 property tax request is 5.9 percent less than in 2015-16.
Terms for Airport Authority members Woodhull and Eugene Meyer expire at the end of the year. One candidate, Dan Hunt is on the general election ballot Nov. 8. Mayor Jim Realph will then appoint a resident to fill the other vacant seat. Airport Authority terms are six years.