Airport Board Gets Funding From State

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has agreed to provide funds for maintenance and improvements at the Wills Point Municipal Airport, according to Paul Addison, president of the Airport Advisory Board.

Addison and other members of the advisory board met with Mike Reagan, director of the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) of TxDOT. Reagan gave recommendations on immediate improvements that would be funded on a 50-50 basis with the city.

The EDC board approved expenditures of $15,000 for a fog seal coat for the runway, and $4,000 for repairs to the lighting system. TxDOT will reimburse a total of $9,500 of those amounts.

"The seal for the runway will stop deterioration and add five to seven years of life to what we have," Addison reported, adding that according to TxDOT, not applying the sealant could lead to repairs that would total up to $140,000 in the next few years.

Similarly, the repairs made to the lighting system would be sufficient for four to five years, or until other grant funds are available for a complete update of the system.

Addison also reported that TxDOT had agreed to provide weed control on the runway, and rebuild the entryway to the airport from State Highway 64. The new entryway would include a new culvert, and a 30-foot wide drive that would accommodate easier access for emergency vehicles.

"Also, through private donations and volunteer labor, we plan to install a pipe fence and an automated gate at the entryway," Addison said.

The board also voted to ask the city council to approve renaming the airport to Van Zandt County Airport. It was noted that the city of Wills Point would retain 100 percent control of the airport despite the name change.

In other business, the board heard a presentation from Neil Conway of Conway Company CPA’s on an annual audit of the board. No problems were reported, and debt ratios were described as average to above average.

The board also approved up to $3,500 for the land usage study being done by the University of Dallas on behalf of the city.