PRIEST RIVER — During Bonner County’s Tuesday business meeting, county commissioners approved two action items aimed at improving operations at the Priest River Airport.  

Both items were brought forth by Airports Manager Dave Schuck in relation to the airport’s 2023 Master Plan, outlining key updates and changes approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to both the Priest River and Sandpoint Airport.  

County commissioners first approved a work order to construct an estimated 1,600 square-foot snow removal equipment building. The building, according to a memorandum submitted to the county, will house the airport’s snow removal equipment that currently sits in a county-owned hangar or outside. Schuck noted that a newly acquired wheel loader with a hydraulic plow is too tall to fit inside the current snow-removal equipment hangar.  

The approved building will sit on a concrete pad, with a paved approach driveway. The building’s interior will have heated walls with the intention of melting snow and ice from equipment. Schuck noted that the building will also serve as a dry and warm place to work on equipment.  

The project has an estimated budget of $650,000, with 95% of the funds coming from an FAA airport improvement program grant. The county is required to pay 2.5% of the project, totaling $16,500. An Idaho Transportation Department Division of Aeronautics grant will cover the remaining $16,500 in costs.  

Commissioners approved the work order in a 2-1 vote, commissioners Asia Williams and Brian Domke in favor and Commissioner Ron Korn against. Voting against the order, Korn shared difficulties in utilizing $650,000 to construct a building that he coined as a “want” versus a “need,” among other sentiments.  

Commissioners unanimously approved the second requested work order that outlines the airport’s intended pavement maintenance project.  

The project will consist of removing existing pavement markings on the runway, apron and two taxiways; sealing pavement cracks; applying asphalt seal coats; and installing new pavement markers. 

All of the fees associated with the work will be funded by an ITD grant.  

The approved order will not fund the actual work to update the pavement but will cover professional services such as bidding and contract administration, preliminary design plans, specifications, contract documents and more.  

Fees for the service are expected to cost approximately $36,813.