The county will nominate a new member of the airport commission at the county commission Monday night. 

At the county Economic and Agricultural Development Committee meeting this month, the commissioners discussed the new appointments to the airport commission. In Aug. 2022, the county approved a resolution creating an airport commission after having issues with the previous administration.

This resolution gave the director full operational control and authority over the airport. There are seven seats on the airport commission. The first is the County Executive, the second is the chair of Budget and Finance, and the third will be a member from the Economic and Agricultural Committee The fourth and fifth seats require someone who is an active licensed pilot. The sixth and seventh seats require someone who is a licensed pilot, who might not necessarily be active.

Currently, the airport commission consists of County Executive Terry Bell, Budget and Finance chair Scott Rubley, Econ and Ag member Brad Hillis, active pilot Kevin Heusinkfeld, active pilot Ryan Blackford, active pilot Mike Corley and active pilot Jason Cripps. Corley is stepping down from his seat. 

“When we set up the new airport commission we have two board members that only serve one-year terms and they have to be reappointed. One of those is stepping down because of a job he is taking. Mike Corley is going to step down because he has taken a job,” said Commissioner Carl Bouldin. 

The airport commission recommended the nomination of Heusinkfeld for his second term. This term will be a three-year term. The airport commission also recommended the nomination of local pilot Kelly Basham. This will also be a three-year term. The committee unanimously approved the nominations and they will be voted on at the County Commission meeting Monday night. 

The Econ and Ag Committee also voted on a committee representative to serve on the commission. Bouldin suggested Brad Hillis again. 

“Brad has been on it, and they have quite a bit going on out there. I called and asked him if he would be willing to serve another term because of what they have going on. He said he would unless someone else wanted that spot,” said Bouldin. 

Commissioner Ron Lee nominated Hillis.

“His foot is already in the door and he does a good job out there. He spends a lot of time out there,” said Lee. 

The full court will also vote on this appointment Monday night.