Airport boards see new direction

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to abolish the Sandpoint and Priest River airport advisory boards and create a single board for both facilities.

The Bonner County Airport Advisory Board would include a representative from each of the cities, plus two stakeholders from each of the airports. Dave Schuck, the county’s airports manager, would serve as the panel’s chairman, according to commissioners.

It’s hoped a combined board will streamline the meeting process, reduce redundant discussions and ease the burden on county employees who staff airport advisory board meetings.

“The way it sits right now it’s redundant to have multiple meetings on top of meetings,” Connolly said.

But the change in strategy raised concerns that it would imbalance the focus by placing too much emphasis on one airport at the detriment of the other.

Andrew Berrey, owner of Granite Aviation at Sandpoint Airport, pointed out that as many as 500 jobs are linked to the facility. Sandpoint Airport is also costlier to maintain.

“My fear would be that we have such an equal representative for such two unequal airports as far as economic impact goes,” Berrey said.

Doug Paterson, meanwhile, questioned whether the change would diminish the focus on Priest River Airport.

“There is a different character between the two airports and the two communities themselves,” said Paterson.

But Connolly said he is hopeful the new approach will help ensure each facilities receives appropriate focus.

“I have faith that people will to do the right thing for each of the airports,” he said.

Commissioner Dan McDonald pointed out the airport board is strictly advisory and decisions ultimately rest with commissioners. Moreover, if the latest arrangement doesn’t work, commissioners can revisit the matter.

“If it doesn’t (work), we’ll make changes,” McDonald said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.