Commissioners hear updates from the Perry-Houston County Airport

WARNER ROBINS — Before the snow started falling in Houston County, the Board of Commissioners rescheduled their meeting to noon on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

In the meeting, Commissioners heard from Perry-Houston County Airport Manager Jim Marquardt. He presented the Board with updates on the airport and some upcoming projects. 

“We have a South Apron and Taxi Rehab rejuvenation project that should kick off in March. It’s a $956,000 project and will completely rejuvenate and resurface part of our older apron and would give us another eight parking spaces for aircraft,” Marquardt said. “It will also refurbish and extend the life of the asphalt around some of our older T-hangars.”

Also, in March, Marquardt said they will be constructing 14 new T-hangars that will cost up to $1.1 million. 

“The county graciously gave us $1 million into that project, and we’re very thankful for that and we couldn’t do it without it,” he said. 

Marquardt added the airport is also contributing $100,000 of its own towards this project. 

“The great thing about that project is it’s going to push us over 100 aircraft as we currently have 88,” he said. “More than 100 [aircraft] puts us in a higher category with both GDOT and FAA for funding.”

Marquardt also mentioned the airport’s Taxiway Alpha is coming apart; The asphalt is sliding and has become high priority. He said repairs are coming in July. 

In October 2024, Marquardt said the month was a record-setting fuel month for the Perry-Houston County Airport with 31,000 gallons pumped. 

“The big deal there is that fuel is one of our revenue sources, and the fact that we’re pumping more fuel than ever before, obviously, it’s increasing our sales,” he said. “Over 62% of that fuel was jet fuel, so we’re doing well. 

The airport is also constructing a new corporate hangar. Marquardt said this hangar would bring 15 jobs to the airport. 

“It’s an engineering company, SAC, and they should have their hangar finished probably by the end of February,” he said. 

He then mentioned the airport also has two more corporate hangars in the works as well that should start construction this year. 

“Thank you for the update, as it sounds like things are progressing with continued growth at the Perry-Houston County airport, and I appreciate the service you provide to the community,” Chairman Dan Perdue said. 

“We appreciate all the good the commission does for us as well,” Marquardt said. 

In new business, the Board approved personnel requests for the Houston County Fire Department, Roads and Bridges Department and the District Attorney’s Office. 

The Board also approved a bid for a new 2023 Dodge Durango from Woody Folsom Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Inc. of Baxley, Georgia, for use as the Administration SUV at the Detention Center. According to the agenda, this purchase will replace a vehicle that was damaged in an accident. 

“We certainly prefer local dealers and local dealerships but when you’re trying to replace a vehicle damaged in an accident, you need to move quickly. I appreciate the Purchasing Department for finding an in-stock vehicle,” Perdue said. 

The next Houston County Commissioners meeting will be held on Feb. 4, at 9 a.m. located at the Houston County Courthouse on 201 Perry Parkway. 

The full agenda of this meeting can be found at www.houstoncountyga.gov/minutes/2025-01-21%20Department%20Heads.pdf