Submitted By: Matthew Grow
presenter
Presentation By: Matthew Grow
end
Department: Aviation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-151 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to appropriate $706,829 in grant funding from the Florida Department of Transportation and transfer $176,707 from the Airport Reserve for Contingencies account for the design and construction of taxilane and apron rehabilitation at the Ocala International Airport for a total amount of $883,536
end
OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
NA
body
BACKGROUND:
This grant request supports the critical rehabilitation of the existing pavement serving the airport’s T-hangar campus. This area comprises eight buildings that accommodate 101 based aircraft, each generating monthly rental revenue for the airport through hangar leases. As a key source of ongoing operational income, the T-hangar campus is essential to the airport’s economic sustainability.
The pavement in this area is among the oldest on the airfield, with sections significantly deteriorated due to age, weather exposure, and continuous use. The asphalt is unraveling, creating loose debris that poses a foreign object debris (FOD) hazard to aircraft, tenants, and airport operations personnel. This compromises safety and increases maintenance demands and liability exposure for the airport.
Timely rehabilitation will restore structural integrity, improve surface conditions, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. It will also enhance the overall user experience for tenants, preserving occupancy rates and strengthening the airport's reputation as a safe, well-maintained general aviation facility.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has committed to funding 80 percent of the total project cost. FDOT’s participation is critical in making this rehabilitation financially feasible and underscores the shared responsibility in maintaining safe and efficient infrastructure for public-use airports.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
• The Airport Advisory Board has expressed its support for this project.
• McFarland Johnson, Inc. is the consultant responsible for the design work, operating under an existing general consulting agreement (AIR/220118), dated July 20, 2022.
• Staff is coordinating this project with the city engineer.
• The intent is to use the City of Ocala’s Transportation Rehabilitation Improvement Program (TRIP) contract to perform the project.
• The project aligns with the Airport Master Plan.
• Airport staff will work closely with the T-Hangar tenants to ensure minimal disruptions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The budget resolution appropriates funds as follows.
FDOT Grant: $706,829 341-050-721-542-54-31010
LOCAL Match: $176,707 451-027-721-542-54-31010
TOTAL Project: $883,536
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with amendments
• Deny
• Table
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2025-151
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE $706,829 IN GRANT FUNDING FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSFER $176,707 FROM THE AIRPORT RESERVE FOR CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TAXILANE AND APRON REHABILITATION AT THE OCALA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $883,536
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has awarded the City $706,829 in grant funding to support the rehabilitation of the T-hangar campus pavement at Ocala International Airport, which serves 101 based aircraft and generates critical rental revenue; and
WHEREAS, under this Public Transportation Grant Agreement, the City’s matching obligation is $176,707, which is available in the Airport Reserve for Contingencies account.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, duly assembled in regular session, that the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget be amended as outlined below to appropriate funding as follows:
SOURCE:
341-334-000-000-09-33406 FDOT Airport Grants $706,829
451-099-999-542-81-99800 Reserve for Contingencies ($176,707)
USE:
341-050-721-542-54-31010 Professional Services $706,829
451-027-721-542-54-31010 Professional Services $176,707
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2025.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Kristen M. Dreyer
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Reviewed for accounting accuracy & completeness:
By: _________________________________
Peter A. Lee
City Manager