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STEUBENVILLE -- Airport funding has fallen victim to COVID-19-related budget cuts at the state level.
The cuts to the Ohio Department of Transportation Aviation Office budget were a topic of discussion at the Jefferson County Airpark's monthly board meeting Monday, according to preliminary minutes provided by the board.
According to the report, Ohio's budget for aviation has been cut from an anticipated amount of around $6 million to $840,000. That report came from Lance Wanamaker of Michael Baker International, who said the matter was discussed at a meeting with ODOT Aviation.
At his May 5 press conference, Gov. Mike DeWine said the overall state budget was being reduced by $775 million.
Those cuts to the state budget are likely to affect state funding of projects that had been planned at the airpark, such as the Runway 32 precision approach path indicator light project.
According to Wanamaker, ODOT will cover project expenses to date then stop the funding for it. Those costs were said to be design and bidding fees.
According to the minutes, Wanamaker said ODOT Aviation is anticipating a 20 percent budget reduction in the 2021 fiscal year, which could mean the project would not be funded then, either.
He noted things are still uncertain.
The PAPI light project already had a contractor chosen, the minutes pointed out. The option for the airpark to self-fund the project, estimated at $60,000, was raised by Trustee Geno Morelli. It was decided that option will not be considered until there is official word from ODOT.
Despite the uncertainty about grant funding for the 2021 fiscal year, the board moved to submit applications for three projects totaling an estimated $420,000, including the Runway 32 PAPI lights.
It was also reported that the airpark applied for $30,000 from the FAA CARES Grant, which the FAA suggests using for routine expenses. The minutes said the airpark has not yet received an award letter on the grant application.
Airpark manager Brian Thaxton said, according to the minutes, there have been no known issues or concerns due to COVID-19 at the airpark and that its two new employees are both "on the job and performing well."
He said social distancing policies are being enforced.
The board did receive some good news about its investment account from Ray Agresta, county treasurer.
Agresta notified the board through correspondence with Treasurer Gary Folden that he had succeeded in having county investment funds -- including airpark funds -- moved to a new investment firm.
The issue had been an ongoing topic at recent airpark board and Jefferson County Commission meetings.
The next airpark board meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on June 8 through teleconference and conference room access at the airpark terminal building.