The Devine City Council voted to purchase a Municipal Airport hangar from the Estep family for $130,000 and amend the current fiscal year budget for the same amount in a Special meeting held April 24.
The hangar, located on the south side of the runway, is 8,320 square feet and is currently leased by eight tenants at $175 per month apiece. It was appraised at $116,000.
“We’ve been encouraged by TxDOT Aviation to move forward and be self-sufficient at the airport,” Mayor Bill Herring said. “The only way to do that is through hangar rentals and fuel sales.”
A Steve Lopez – Cory Thompson motion to approve the purchase and amend the budget passed 3-0, with David Valdez also voting for the measure.
Council members David Espinosa and Kathy Wilkins were both absent.
Herring added that the City had agreed in principle to purchase a second hangar, this one co-owned by Estep and Bill Bain, once the first hangar acquisition had gone through.
Council also voted to increase the amount of the Routine Airport Maintenance Grant (RAMP) for the current fiscal year from $40,000 to the maximum amount of $100,000. State funding provides a $50,000 match per fiscal year.
Interim City Administrator Dora Rodriguez said that the City has up until August 31, when the current fiscal year ends, to use the grant money.
A Valdez-Thompson motion to amend the RAMP grant to $100,000 passed 3-0.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer