Proposal: 'A really good thing for the airport'

A proposal that would shift authority over the Coeur d'Alene Airport away from the county was met with split commissioner support, further delaying potential implementation.

On Monday, Coeur d'Alene Airport Director Steven Kjergaard revisited the Joint Powers Agreement presented to commissioners in August to create a five-member administrative board to oversee airport operations.

If formed, the board of airport commissioners would include one representative from Kootenai County, Coeur d'Alene, Rathdrum, Post Falls, and Hayden elected officials. The entities would also provide a collective $250,000 annually for FAA grant match and airport capital projects. 

In August, county commissioners tabled the proposal until late October to allow further review.

Commissioners Leslie Duncan and Bill Brooks expressed opposing views for the Joint Powers Agreement during the Monday meeting. 

"I think the pushback with the study commission and changing any of our control at this point is probably not going to be well received by society at large or the citizens at large here," Duncan said. "I do understand what some of the benefits would be, but I am concerned that it's going to cause more problems and that the pros will not outweigh the cons."

Kjergaard said the agreement would provide three advantages for the airport: protection, continuity, and political stability. With several large-scale capital projects planned over the next several years, the airport director said in August that continuity would be critical for “decision making and funding.”

Under the agreement, the part-time five-member board would be in charge of the administrative functions of the airport. With the airport commissioners being part-time, Duncan was concerned the officials would be less engaged.

"Right now, anybody can come to three commissioners, and it's pretty easy to get something changed quickly," she said. "With this, I'm not sure that that's going to be the same case."

Duncan added that issues at the airport frequently occur, becoming another responsibility for city officials to handle.

"The airport's gone under chaos, like one thing a year, it seems like," she said. "I think this will bring one more thing to be upsetting for the users. So I'd like to say no at this time."

On the other hand, Brooks supported moving the proposal forward. With majority commissioner approval, Kjergaard would begin reaching out to cities to gauge their interest in the agreement. 

"I would like to see the entire board talk about this in a work session," Brooks said. "Never be afraid to have a discussion."

The Coeur d'Alene Airport currently has a nine-member Airport Advisory Board that recommends funding priorities and creates long-range goals. 

Unlike the advisory board, the five-person commission would have the authority to implement — rather than recommend — action. Partnering entities would also pay each board member $2,400 annually. 

Joan Genter, a Kootenai County Airport Advisory Board member, said she recognized Duncan's concerns but supported the proposal moving forward.

"I think if (Kjergaard spoke) privately with the entities that are identified on here, it might be a good thing to move forward and have that discussion," she said. "I think on its face, it could be a really good thing for the airport."

Due to Commissioner Chris Fillios' absence, the proposal did not have the majority of support needed to continue. Kjergaard said he plans to bring it forward again when the entire board is present.