PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
AIRPORT … Commissioners approve applications for federal airport improvement program grants.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Commissioners met for a regular session on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, an opening prayer, and a roll call, with all three commissioners present. Minutes from the November 13 meeting were approved, along with the agenda for the day.
Financial matters led the morning’s business. Bills certified by the county auditor were approved, along with routine purchase orders and travel requests covering various departments as the year draws to a close.
Commissioners reviewed a notice from the Eastern and Western District Municipal Courts announcing that both courts will close at noon on Wednesday, November 26, for an internal office meeting. Countywide Thanksgiving holiday closures will follow on November 27 and 28.
The board authorized a series of appropriation adjustments across multiple county funds. These included an increase to memorial contributions in the commissioners’ own budget and additional funding for the Common Pleas Court to cover public defender costs through the end of the year.
The county’s waterline fund also received a significant increase to meet ongoing regional water obligations. Meanwhile, reductions were made in the Local Emergency Planning Committee fund and in the Four County Solid Waste Management transfer line as part of routine year-end balancing.
Several internal transfers were also approved to align accounts with current needs. Maintenance shifted funds to cover uniform expenses, and the Transfer Station reallocated a little over $12,000 across several lines to support contract services.
$20,000 was also moved from the General Fund contingency line into the loss control fund based on an auditor’s recommendation to stabilize that account.
Quarterly cost reimbursement transfers for fuel, supplies, copier expenses, and utilities were also approved, reconciling shared costs that originate in central county accounts but are used by various departments.
In other action, the commissioners approved an agreement with the Village of Archbold allowing the Fulton County Senior Center to use the Scout Cabin as a satellite location, expanding access to senior programming in the eastern portion of the county.
Federal aviation improvement efforts at the Fulton County Airport continue to move forward as commissioners reviewed multiple grant documents connected to upcoming Airport Improvement Program projects. The materials outline several applications that pair local work with federal funding through the Federal Aviation Administration.
One application details a project to design a new taxilane measuring 240 feet by 25 feet. The total project cost is listed at 35,000, with the FAA covering 95 percent of eligible expenses.
The remaining 5 percent is supplied through the Ohio Airport Improvement Program, leaving no sponsor share required for this phase of work. According to the documents, the FAA has already issued a grant offer for the project, and a copy of the executed grant was included with the filing.
A second submission requests matching funds for two additional airport improvements tied to another FAA Airport Improvement Program grant.
These projects include the design phase for a new six-unit T hangar and the reconstruction of the airport’s weather reporting system, an AWOS Type Three PT station.
The combined project value totals $399,500 with the FAA responsible for $379,525. The remaining 5 percent is supplied through the state program, again leaving no local sponsor match.
Additional federal documentation included in the packet shows the airport is also seeking FAA support for broader airfield upgrades, such as apron reconstruction, a second phase of taxilane construction, and the acquisition of easements for approach protection and associated tree removal.
That application lists federal funding of $473,360 toward a total project estimate of $500,400, with state and local shares covering the balance.
Taken together, the filings represent the next steps in securing and coordinating federal dollars for long-planned improvements at the Fulton County Airport, supporting design and construction work aimed at modernizing facilities and expanding the airport’s ability to serve local aviation needs.
With no remaining business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m.