Airport manager John Marquardt spoke before the Pine Bluffs council Tuesday, Jan. 17, highlighting the benefits of the airport for the town.

The airport gains most maintenance funding from grants and brings money into Pine Bluffs in several ways. The airport fence project brought in workers to the community, Marquardt told council he asked receipts be turned in at the end of their work so he could see how much was spent by the town during the brief project. The total turned in accounted for $1,300 spent in town.

The airport currently holds 13 planes in the hangers, Marquardt said. He also explained gas sales are up as the airport was able to lower their price $0.52. The hangers, Marquardt explained, were built 30 years ago and have helped the airport bring in $130,000. Interest from Cheyenne has increased, explained Marquardt, adding people are choosing the Pine Bluffs facility to house their planes.

“If you don’t use the airport, you’re not paying for it,” Marquardt said.

Six more planes are coming to the airport, Marquardt informed council, “more airplanes, more money for gas.” Curtis asked if new hangers should be considered. Marquardt said he would like to see if they stay full first, but noted he does keep getting calls.

Town administrator Caryn Miller said she has begun working on a deal to purchase an attachment for the airport’s mower that would remove tumbleweeds from the fence. If the grant is approved, the town will only pay 2 percent.

Mayor Bill Shain asked the council to consider any changes or adjustments they may want made to the town’s Sixth Penny list. No changes were brought forward as Shain rehashed the events from the previous evening’s steering committee meeting. The change in the ballot size allowed for Pine Bluffs’ full list to make it on and Shain said he was really confident with the first half and may want the second $5 million tweaked.

Though the project has not yet passed on the ballot, the water distribution line project is already getting design money paid out. The council approved a $9,263.46 payment to Lidstone and Associates for planning work.

The third invoice from the airport project was paid for $56,177.08. A grant has been received for the work that will cover the majority of the project cost.

Miller celebrated her six-month anniversary with the town by coming off probation status. After the trail run of the new town government set up, councilman Tom Mohren moved to hire Miller full-time saying, “She’s done a great job.”

Town attorney Alex Davison handed out a questionnaire on drug and alcohol policy for the council to fill out. Miller said she would also present it to the department heads. Davison will use the input in reworking policy.

The council then went into executive session for personnel matters. No action was taken.

The next meeting of the Pine Bluffs Town Council will be Feb. 6, in the town hall at 7 p.m.