Logan-Cache Airport Authority Board Meets After Seven Months, Flags Projected 2027 Deficit, Approves Hangar Requests
Why It MattersLogan City's exit from the authority leaves Cache County carrying the airport's finances, while hangar lease growth and grant-funded electric-aircraft charging show a small regional airport trying to widen its revenue base.
The Logan-Cache Airport Authority Board met Oct. 22 for the first time in more than seven months, the first session of the reorganized board after changes to the airport's governance structure. Logan City's withdrawal from the authority shifted primary financial responsibility to Cache County, which led to changes in board representation and the appointment process. The board reelected John Kerr as chairman, Brett Hugie as vice chairman and Janeen Allen as secretary, and ratified Bob Low's appointment as airport manager.
Cache County Auditor Matt Funk said the proposed operating budget omitted about $330,000 in payroll expenses, leaving a 2027 deficit of about $123,000. Kerr asked whether the estimate accounted for reimbursements from Utah State University for the costs of maintaining the airport's Federal Aviation Administration certification, which allows certain larger aircraft, including those used by visiting collegiate athletic teams. Low said the airport was still separating those costs from the general operating budget and expected further budget amendments.
Low reported completion of Taxi Lane Kilo, improvements to Taxiway Charlie, ongoing private construction along Taxi Lanes Delta, Hotel and Lima, and delivery of a new FAA-funded snowplow. He said the developments could generate nearly $82,000 in additional annual land lease revenue if the anticipated hangars are built and leases finalized next year. The board approved requests for two hangars on Taxi Lane Kilo, subject to lease requirements and engineering review, and two large hangars on Taxi Lane Lima proposed by developers Gene Spaulding and Kevin Allen, who would build the associated taxi lane to FAA specifications. It also approved two hangar sites along Taxi Lane Echo, expandable to four if two previously approved applicants do not agree to the airport's infrastructure fees, and a 30-year ground lease for Giovanni Villa to help him obtain financing for a hangar in an already approved development.
The airport previously received a $525,000 grant for a charging station for electric aircraft made by Beta Technologies, which conducted test flights between Logan, Salt Lake City, Heber and Provo. The airport also plans to install an electric vehicle charger using about $47,000 in remaining grant funds, with Beta covering additional installation costs. The board ratified agreements on the charging infrastructure and several other contracts Kerr authorized while the board was not meeting, including work on Taxiway Bravo and development agreements for Taxi Lane Lima.
The board heard presentations from engineering firms J-U-B Engineers and Egis, competing for the airport's next consulting contract. Board member Bryce Moore said references for both were positive and Kerr agreed both were qualified, but the board postponed selection to ask more questions and gather input from two absent members. The board also tabled discussion of whether Cache County could finance Leading Edge Aviation's planned terminal expansion, and a decision on capping an unused artesian well near Leading Edge's facilities.
