Libby Airport Board Chairman Ron Denowh’s request for funds to purchase fuel for the airport was granted Wednesday, although the revenue is less than he initially requested and comes with strings attached.

Lincoln County commissioners approved a $20,000 loan at 5½ percent interest for seven years for the purchase of aircraft fuel. The interest rate is consistent with similar business actions researched by County Clerk Tammy Lauer dating back two years.

Eureka Commissioner Mike Cole made the motion, which was seconded by Troy Commissioner Ron Downey. The vote was unanimous.

“You guys really need to find a concessionaire,” Cole told Denowh. “We (Lincoln County) don’t want to be in the aircraft fuel business. What this allows you to do is build your (fuel) inventory.”

Denowh stressed the importance of approval, citing dwindling fuel supplies at the airport and the need to have it there for commerce. Denowh contends pilots will bypass Libby and fly on to Bonners Ferry or Kalispell without fuel on premises.

Commissioners approved the loan on the condition Denowh poll Airport Board members to get approval.

“They know the importance of this,” Denowh said. “We’re not scheduled to meet this month, but I don’t think there will be a problem.” 

Denowh said he planned to order fuel as soon as possible, purchasing the Jet-A fuel, which is in shortest supply.

The airport also offers 100-LL, which is 100 octane, low-lead. For now, Denowh said, there is enough supply of the 100-LL.

Originally, Denowh requested funds to refill the tanks, which would have cost about $60,000. However, commissioners balked at that idea and instead opted to provide enough funds as a stop-gap measure that they hope will allow a fuel purchase while providing enough funds to later purchase additional fuel as its needed.

“No, we’re not going for $60,000,” Presiding Commissioner Tony Berget told Denowh.

Also, the wife of former Stinger Welding CEO Carl Douglas is seeking payment for the unused fuel at the time of her husband’s death in the early morning hours of Dec. 19 when he crashed his aircraft into Swede Mountain.

Douglas struck a deal with the airport to purchase fuel and store it at the airport. Douglas set up a credit-card reader at the site to allow pilots to purchase fuel from his reserves.

Commissioners and Denowh agreed to establish similar protocol for fuel sales at the airport.

“We’re hoping to pay this back as soon as we can,” Denowh said. “If there’s a bad fire season, we could pay this back by the end of the year.”

Commissioners agreed to address the Douglas fuel payment at a later date.