By Meladi Brewer

DailyAdvocate.com

GREENVILLE — Commissioners agree to $840,121 contract agreement for airport fuel system and demolition. Commissioners Matt Aultman, Marshall Combs, and Larry Holmes were present.

Airport Manager Scott Naas stated this was quite the journey, and it is required by the FAA to move the current fuel system.

“With the new building out there now, the replacement of this system will help with logistics and operations in general to continue to grow and better provide fueling equipment that our customers need,” Naas said.

The commissioners approved the construction contractor’s agreement with Collins Equipment Corp. to be in place from the time of the first payment being received from the owner and will continue for 44 weeks, or 308 calendar days. Collins Equipment Corp. will be providing the necessary labor, material, and equipment to furnish and install a complete jet fuel and AVAGAS fuel supply system to be located on the existing concrete pad.

The terms of payment at 50 percent with the order, 25 percent with the tank delivery, and balance upon completion. The $840,121 total comes from a breakdown of $14,890 for the ladders and platforms, add for 12,000 custom nine-foot diameter gallon tank and pad/bollard modifications totaling $56,612, tank removal is $49,736, cost to provide performance bond and payment bond is $14,959, and there is a $4,292 deduct for electrical components supplied by the airport.

Aultman was able to provide fuel sale data for 2023, and they totaled 24,245 gallons of jet fuel and 13,792 gallons of low led.

“So far this year we are on track with 16,760 gallons of jet. So far we are on a good trajectory for meeting or exceeding our sales from last year all without including CareFlight into the mix,” Aultman said.

Aultman said the provided numbers do not include the cost of jet fuel that CareFlight utilizes through the year.

“Separately, CareFlight used 22,000 gallons last year, and so far this year, they have used 15,000 gallons of jet fuel,” Autlman said. “They are getting just as much use out of the fuel as our general field is as well.”

This ordeal has been a process since 2018, and in 2021, Commissioner Holmes had voted against the project. His reason, the project and commitment was made prior to his term.

“As it may be recalled, in May 2021, I abstained from voting to accept bids for an Aviation Fuel Facility. At that time, the majority of the board was represented by those involved in the commitment,” Holmes said.

He advised that the commitment was tied to getting a taxiway installed fully funded by the FAA, and a $3.2 million investment by the FAA was at stake.

“To be transparent,” Holmes said, “the costs associated with the fuel farm project came in at twice or more of what was anticipated at that time.”

He said during the airport dedication this past spring, John Mayfield of the FAA shared that the commitment for the taxiway was made to support the county in anticipation of Darke County hosting a ‘world plowing contest’ and with the county’s commitment to relocate the fuel farm from the eastern end of existing runway.

“The reality is that we should and do need to relocate the fuel farm,” Holmes said.

Holmes also believes the integrity of Darke County and its elected officials is important.

“As such, I plan to support the agreement that is being presented today. It’s a little of a changing of position,” Holmes said.

The commissioner meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. for their Regular Session meetings. These meetings are open and welcome to the public, and they are held at 520 S Broadway, in Greenville.

To contact Daily Advocate Reporter Meladi Brewer, email [email protected].