By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
brenna@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Airport Authority defended its role in managing the county airport during its Monday, July 6, 2026, meeting, making it clear that members want the board to remain in control of airport operations.
Continued grant approvals, low fuel sales, and recent developments were highlighted following a proposal to potentially place the airport operations under the Williams County Engineer’s Office.
The discussion followed a July 2, 2026, meeting of the Williams County Commissioners, where Commissioner Terry Rummel suggested the Airport Authority consider allowing the Williams County Engineer’s Office to gradually take over airport operations.
Under that idea, the current Airport Authority board could continue serving as advisers while the Engineer’s Office learned how to manage the airport. This idea was prompted after Chairman Dave Newcomer stated he was searching for more active members.
There are seven spots on the board, with only six currently filled. Newcomer attended the meeting to recommend Brian Davis, previous Williams County Commissioner and current Bryan Board of Public Affairs member, to fill that empty slot.
“Do we want to keep on trying to do this work that makes this place go?” asked Newcomer.
“I say yes, because I remember what it was like before when the County Commissioners were running it and the Engineer was in charge of it,” Burton Blalock answered.
“It wasn’t a good thing. The place was a dump, it was falling apart. They had lost, at that point in time, in grant money, close to half a million dollars – that just came and went. My take is the same thing would happen again because history repeats itself.”
“One of the most important things is making sure we are getting grant money,” agreed Kirk Vashaw. “This board has done a very good job at growing this airport.”
The board noted it had various grant funds lined up for the next 10 years, and many improvement projects laid out in its tenure plan.
“It has worked, and we have asked the community to put in very little money,” continued Vashaw. “To me, that is fact. Take the hangar inside, and look at all the other things that have come to the airport.”
The Airport Authority noted increased flight traffic, new approaches, lights, ramps, and a new hangar.
Overall, during Monday’s meeting, the board made it clear that its members want to remain in their current roles. The board spent much of the meeting discussing what has been accomplished at the airport in recent years, including showing how often the facility is used.
According to data provided by Airport Monitoring Systems, the Williams County Airport recorded 10,510 total aircraft operations between April 2, 2023, and July 8, 2026.
The airport’s fuel prices and the importance of keeping prices competitive in Williams County were also discussed.
Airport Monitoring Systems estimated that the airport had approximately $245,140 in fuel sales between April 2023 and July 2026. Within that time, it had an estimated $65,370 in profit.
The Airport Authority ended the discussion by making it clear that members intend to continue their work and remain responsible for the airport’s operations.
While commissioners have discussed the possibility of a different management structure, no changes have been approved.
Newcomer stated in a recent letter to the commissioners: “The single issue for discussion (this meeting) was consideration of Commissioner Rummel’s request that the Board step aside and allow the County Engineer to manage the airport. The Board is unanimous in rejecting this idea. I therefore ask them again to appoint a new member to the Board.”
For now, the Authority plans to continue building on the airport’s current activity, businesses and services with no change, except a potential new member coming their way.