The Worthington City Council during its Monday meeting approved improvements at the municipal airport scheduled to begin next year.
Earlier this month, the city’s Airport Advisory Board had unanimously approved a proposed five-year Airport Capital Improvement Plan that provided funding options for a 50 feet x 150 feet three-bay airport hangar and rehabilitation of the south hangar taxiway. There is also a new corporate hangar taxiway proposed for 2026, and this new project would incorporate Federal Aviation Administration funding, State Aeronautics funding and local funding. The FAA is currently funding projects at a 95% share -- up from its normal 90% share -- with the remaining 5% split between the state and local partners. State projects like the south taxiway project would be funded at the normal 70% state, 30% local split.
Worthington Director of Public Works Todd Wietzema explained that Worthington Municipal Airport receives annual Airport Improvement Program funding of $150,000 of each year. Due to the cost of the upcoming projects, the Worthington Municipal Airport – with council’s approval Monday -- will borrow AIP funds from other airports to be paid back in future years. Wietzema said this is a common practice among airports, especially when there are large projects involved. The airport plans to borrow approximately $300,000 for the $1,216,000 hangar project and an undetermined amount in 2026 for the corporate taxiway extension.
Wietzema added that the city share of the $1.216 million project would be $34,189.47. It’s projected that the airport would recover this cost within the first four years of renting out these hangars. Local share funds come from airport reserves and have no effect on the general tax levy.
In other business Monday, council members approved a 2.0% adjustment in retirement benefits for volunteer firefighters meeting eligibility requirements, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The council also approved a resolution that effectively accepts $10,000 in grant funds from the Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation. The funds will be combined with other reserve funds to purchase a public safety drone and related equipment.
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