The Chautauqua County Legislature has decided to use some of its money from its contingency account to make repairs at the Jamestown airport.

During this week’s legislature meeting, officials voted in favor to repair Hangar C at the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport. According to the resolution, the repairs will cost $1,194,200. The state Department of Transportation is paying $902,240, leaving the county responsible for the remaining $171,960. To cover the county’s portion, $120,000 is coming out of the county’s Contractual Contingent Account.

During committee meetings last week, Director of Public Facilities Brad Bentley shared that the hangar was originally approved to be repaired two years ago. The work was delayed from COVID-19. Since that time, the costs of materials have grown and more repairs are needed.

Bentley said once the repairs to the hangar are done, the Fixed Base Operator at the airport said they would pay $1,000 a month to rent it. The county can also make money from select planes that are stored there, as well as through any fuel sales.

Bentley said about $100,000 has been spent on the design for the repair. Also, the county has been received building violation notices from the state Building Inspectors Office, saying the county must make the repairs or take it down.

He proposed the county use money from its fund balance, something a few legislators were opposed to.

“I’m not against the airports. I’m supportive of the airports. I understand the need for the hangars and space. … My reluctancy is taking out of fund balance,” said Legislator Chuck Nazzaro, D-Jamestown, during last week’s Audit and Control Committee meeting.

Legislator Jay Gould agreed but said no matter what the hangar needs to be fixed. “We need to get this done or the building will eventually have to be destroyed,”he said.

County Executive PJ Wendel said at that committee meeting he supports repairing the hangar, noting that there’s been interest in renting it out. “We had a possible customer who was looking for hangar space for a larger aircraft. We could have had that space already occupied and rented,” he said.

On Wednesday, a revised resolution was presented to the full legislature to have the funds come out of contingency instead of the fund balance.

“If you remember, when we did the 2021 budget, we did budget $500,000 for contingency so we’ll be taking it out of that account and it will not be affecting the capital reserve,” Nazzaro said during Wednesday night’s full legislature meeting.

That resolution passed unanimously.

In a separate matter, the county legislature approved a resolution to increase the capital account for the rehabilitation of Taxiway B South at the Chautauqua County Airport – Dunkirk. The total cost of the resolution was $85,531, with $76,978 coming from the federal government and $4,276 coming from the state government, leaving the county responsible for the remaining $4,277.

Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, voted against the resolution. He did not comment on his no vote during the meeting, but has consistently voted against resolutions to fund the local airports, saying the county shouldn’t be in the airport business.