WINTERSVILLE — After reviewing its proposed 2025 budget, the Jefferson County Regional Airport Authority discussed ways for the Jefferson County Airpark to become more self-sufficient in funding its operations.

Ahead of Tuesday’s budget hearing, Secretary-Treasurer Gary Folden allowed the airport’s board of directors to review the proposed budget during Monday’s regular meeting. Folden said the airport will ask the Jefferson County commissioners for $100,000 — what it requested last year.

Board President Brandon Reese noted the airport costs around $350,000 to operate per year. The commissioners contribute a third of that, with the remaining amount coming from the airport’s hangar rental, property lease and oil and gas revenues.

Reese said that “$100,000 is a lot of money, but this airport got more money over past years. In 2008, we got $157,000 from the commissioners. So, ($100,000) is not the limit, but (it is) reasonable because we often accept that, when it comes to county departments, we’ve been blessed by this oil and gas business.”

The current set of commissioners “has always helped us” in the event of special needs, Reese said, adding that the county’s funding is indispensable for airport infrastructure upkeep.

“Some people think that we’re going to be self-sufficient, and, one day, we’re going to have enough money in here, and we’re not going to use the county’s money at all. I don’t believe that’s ever going to be the case. We will never be a self-sufficient operation here, no matter what people think. We’re going to do our best to be that way, but that’s pie in the sky.”

Board member Geary Bates noted that oil and gas revenue is “not going to last forever.” The board, he said, ought to investigate ways it can funds airport operations in the event that its investment principal or interest rate decrease.

The airport currently has an account with the State Treasury Asset Reserve of Ohio, an investment pool for government subdivisions that has a fluctuating interest rate. Last month, STAR Ohio’s interest rate was 4.86 percent and earned the airport $15,000 in interest from its total principal of around $3,425,000.

The county’s ability to invest money is limited to the county’s investment committee policy, which itself was formed according to state regulation, Reese said. Until the county changes its policy, the airport cannot pursue other methods of investment, such as buying government bonds.

Board member Geno Morelli suggested that the board discuss with incoming county Treasurer Brian Scarpone about making changes to the investment committee’s policy. Reese said efforts to change that policy have tried and failed before, but he would review notes from previous attempts.

Separately, the board resumed contentious debate regarding where to add more aircraft parking.

From the outset of Monday’s meeting, three locations were in the running: Where the aircraft’s segmented circle used to sit, between the former wind cone location and box hangars and over the former maintenance building’s footprint. The board tabled conversations last month when faced with the possible presence of a retention pond near the segmented circle.

Bates suggested a new location, proposing that the apron beside the Anthony Mining building could be extended and fit up to two more planes. Work could be done for roughly $250,000, Bates said, and the board briefly entertained the idea that an apron extension could lead to future hangar development.

Board member Rich Stenzel said the area between the box hangars and wind cone could fit up to two jets and 12 airplanes.

Bates, however, claimed the estimated $1 million cost of that development makes it impossible. That number came from a rough estimate pitched during last month’s meeting by Lance Wanamaker of engineering consultant Michael Baker International, taking into account the cost of installing a new water runoff system.

The board discussed other ways water could be routed, but Bates said an engineering study would be necessary to figure out what’s needed. Wanamaker quickly estimated that such a study from him could run the airport between $80,000 and $100,000.

Bates expressed his opposition to the study price, as well as to the supposed cost for Stenzel’s proposed project.

“To spend $1 million for something that we use three times a year, that’s beyond my understanding,” Bates said.

Morelli suggested later that the Federal Aviation Administration could possible finance a large chunk of the project. Reese said that could be, but it would come with a time delay. He added that the Ohio Department of Transportation could have discretionary funding available.

The board also:

• Approved an initial payment of $4,300 to Estherlee Fence Co. Inc. for tree cutting to make way for the wildlife exclusion fence. The full bill was $87,866.10, with the FAA and ODOT covering roughly $79,000 and $4,300 respectively. The board also approved paying $608 to engineering consultant Michael Baker International for fence construction administration. The full bill was $12,161.15, with the FAA and ODOT covering $10,900 and $608 respectively.

• Heard from airport manager Brian Thaxton that there were 527 airport operations in November, as well as 4,830 gallons of jet fuel and 7,850 gallons of avgas sold. Thaxton also reported that Schaffer Machine installed bearings on a box hangar door to make the mechanism run smoothly; malfunctioning and warrantee lights are being serviced, with spares set to be purchased and certain trees — concerning to ODOT due to their height and runway proximity — were removed by Estherlee while crews were cutting in the area for the wildlife fence.

• Heard from Folden that the board terms of Morelli and Vice President Dustin Van Fossen will soon expire. If the two decide to renew their five-year terms, the board may simply recommend their reappointment to the commissioners. Otherwise, the board will enter a nomination process.

• Approved an apportion adjustment — a $50,000 increase — to the airport’s fuel sales account to cover the remainder of the year.

• Approved a waiver for Ken Kramarek, who is getting a new aircraft, to be a subtenant in one of the commercial hangars. Aircraft owners are required to rent a Tee hangar unless they obtain a waiver from the board.

• Heard about the death of David Hunt of Richmond, who ran the airport with his wife, Ellen, for many years. The two “lived, breathed, existed” at the airport, Reese said.

• Held a complimentary Christmas party for the airport community in the terminal building.