Delaware Airport Commission Meeting - October 16, 2025
Delaware Airport Commission Meeting - October 16, 2025
The Airport Commission held its regular meeting on October 16, 2025, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, updates on the hangar pavement project, fuel sales performance, and a detailed review of proposed rate and fee adjustments to move toward self-sufficiency. The commission unanimously voted to support a 5% increase in hangar rents and service fees for 2026.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the motion summary from the July 17, 2025, Airport Commission meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made, and no written communications were received.
Discussion Items
- Hangar Pavement Project: The project began August 25, 2025, and is substantially complete at a cost of approximately $700,000. The pavement now drains better than before. Final striping is pending a 30-day cure period; it will be placed on top of temporary striping without closing the area.
- 2025 Fuel Sales: As of the meeting date, the airport sold 40,791 gallons of 100 low-lead (down from ~49,000 gallons the prior year) and 107,000 gallons of Jet A (down from ~130,000 gallons). While jet visits decreased, fuel consumption per jet was higher. Staff noted fuel prices are kept competitive within a 45–50 mile radius, with a weekend discount of 10 cents per gallon for 100LL.
- Rate and Fee Adjustments: Staff presented a zero-balance analysis to eliminate the city general fund transfer to the airport. Options included increasing 100LL by 11% (to $5.72/gal), Jet A by 57% (to $5.94/gal, above regional average), and hangar rents by 21% ($100+/month more). Staff recommended a more modest 5% increase for hangar rents and a 5% increase in service fees (ramp fees, tie-down fees, etc.), with a waiver threshold for overnight tie-down fees raised from 15 to 20 gallons of fuel purchased. Commissioners expressed support for larger, one-time hangar rent increases (up to ~20%) in 2026 to catch up to market rates, citing no vacancies and a long waitlist.
- County Partnership Study: Staff referenced a recent consultant study recommending options: city-county partnership, creation of a regional airport authority, or transferring the airport to county operation. No recent updates were provided.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Rate Adjustments: The commission unanimously voted (4–0) to support the proposed 5% increase in hangar rents and service fees for 2026. This will be forwarded to the city manager for administrative approval.
- Future Direction: Commissioners encouraged staff to pursue a larger, one-time increase for hangar rents (possibly 20% or more) in 2026 or 2027 to reduce reliance on fuel revenue and better reflect market conditions.
- Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Mr. Lewis. Mr. Stevenson? Chair Everson. Here. If I can get a motion and second to excuse um Commissioner Fraser, Commissioner Gobb and Commissioner Ratcliffe, please. Mr. Stevenson? Chair Everson. I don't know about it. Sorry about that. Motion. And then 10 seconded. Thank you very much. Mr. Acker? Yeah. Mr. Lewis. Mr. Stevenson? Yes. Ms. Chair Everson. Yes. All right. Item number two, approval of the motion summary. Approval of the motion summary from the airport commission meeting held on July 17th, 2025, as recorded and transcribed. Get a motion to uh for the summary. Thank you. Um Mr. Acker? Yeah. Mr. Lewis. Mr. Stevenson? Yes. Chair Emerson. Yes. Now is the time for public comment. There is no public in our audience, and I did not receive any communication. All right. Perfect. That brings us to item four. Chatty Cathy's. Gentlemen, let's rock and roll. Okay. So hangar pavement project.
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