A Cherokee Cruiser makes its final approach toward the Carson City Airport runway.
Photo by Faith Evans.
The Carson City Airport has its fingers crossed for a new terminal building, but the chances of getting funding for the project are slim.
Airport Manager Corey Jenkins attended the Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday to outline the airport’s Capital Improvement Plan and request approval for grant applications.
For fiscal year 2022, the airport will enhance its approach lighting and Automated Weather Observation System to make landings safer for pilots. The terminal will get underway only if the airport qualifies for a federal grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“If there is enough funding available, we will be considered. … This is a unique opportunity that the airport has not had before,” Jenkins said.
Though the odds are low, if the airport does receive funding, the new terminal would be ADA-compliant and have accommodations for Part 135 operations, which are non-scheduled commercial flights, like charter jets.
The most immediate plans for airport improvements include installing approach lighting that improves safety for pilots landing at night.
Supervisor Stan Jones, who is a member of the Airport Authority, added that Carson City has the support of Sen. Jacky Rosen and Rep. Mark Amodei in pursuing funding for a new terminal.
Over the next five years, the airport hopes to rehabilitate its pavement, extend the runway, and construct a building to hold snow removal equipment. The runway extension is hinging on the same funding source for the terminal building.
In the same meeting, the Board of Supervisors also augmented the city’s fiscal year 2021-22 budget by nearly $45 million. The revisions do not impact the city’s ending fund balance – Sheri Russell, CFO, said that the city planned for contingencies.
“The reason this (augmentation) is so large … is because we issued a lot of debt,” she said.
One of the biggest items added to the budget was the issuance of bonds for a new fire station, totaling $8.5 million.
The supervisors also reviewed the master plan and zoning for city property, including areas like Silver Saddle Ranch, the Long Ranch Trail System, Schultz Ranch Park, and Empire Cemetery. They changed the zoning of each parcel to be more consistent with its use as public and recreational land.VOTE CANVASSThe Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting Friday, June 24 to canvass the vote for the 2022 Primary Election. They will gather in the Robert “Bob” Crowell Board Room of the Community Center on 851 E. William St. at 8:30 a.m.
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