Airport manager asks for increase in funds from governmental entities

Airport manager Dean Selby recently explained to governmental representative on the board of directors that the facility needs increased funds because of recent inflation.

“Balancing the coming fiscal year’s budget was tough,” said Selby. “As we are all facing, inflation has impacted projections for everything from maintenance supplies to insurance.

Selby said the airport strives to create a zero-based budget, with income equaling the expenses. The budget being discussed was calculated by using operating numbers through March 2022 so that price increases, as well as inflation, were accounted for.

“Our insurance on the facility, the facility insurance, it over doubled,” said Selby and also stated that the 2022/2023 airport budget is at $1.52 million.

To help offset some of the costs, Selby proposed that the four government entities that are affiliated with the airport - City of Sparta, White County, City of Cookeville, and Putnam County - consider increasing their annual contributions to airport from $28,000 to $35,000.

“I feel like - and based on TDOT’s [Tennessee Department of Transportation] study - we do contribute a lot to the local economy,” said Selby. “That study showed that we put $19.7 million that flowed through this airport to the local economy, and it costs money to make that happen. And our cost has gone up tremendously on everything from insurance to light bulbs.”

Selby said that during the time he has served as manager at Upper Cumberland Regional Airport, he has not come to the governments asking for an increase of this magnitude. He said that inflation, however, has outpaced the airport’s ability to keep up with its goal of breaking even.

“As most are aware the airport generates the majority of our $1.524 million budget from fuel sales, fees, and rent collections,” said Selby. “State and federal capital grants we receive are not reflected in our general gross sales budget as they are allocated directly to airport assets.”

Selby said the contributions from the four government sponsors are used for the required local match for grants and other capital investments at the airport.

In other business, airport engineer Richard Rinks said it was reported that the Airport Layout Plan, which took more than nine months to develop, was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and will serve as a 10-year master plan for airport projects as well as operations.

“Any federal grants that we apply for, the first question is, ‘Is it on your approved ALP?’” said Selby.

He said the plan takes into consideration everything from the height of trees to the size of the airport’s hangars and uses projections from the Federal Aviation Administration, Tennessee Department of Transportation, and the airport.

“And, if it’s not on your approved ALP, you’re not eligible for grant money,” said Selby. “So, everything has to be on here to be eligible to submit to the FAA for their infrastructure grant program, so that’s the big thing for us.”

Selby said he hopes to have more information from the Ailevon Pacific Feasibility Study to present at the airport board’s May 10 meeting. The report will include information about the possibility of bringing commercial flights Upper Cumberland Regional Airport.

Also on the agenda was the election of new board members: Putnam County executive Randy Porter was re-appointed as chairperson; City of Sparta mayor Jeff Young was re-elected as vice-chairperson; Pete Ziegler retained his positions as secretary/treasurer; and Chad Marcum, White County finance director, who is a new board member, will replace Charles Greene.