The $2 million project can now move forward once the county and Beavercreek Twp. enter into an agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission for a $653,000 grant and a no-interest loan for $300,000.
Beavercreek Twp., which has plans to build a fire station on the airport property, is promising $100,000 toward the project.
“This project has been in the capital budget for many years. We were working with an estimate of $1.5 million, but with help from the township and OPWC, the county is saving a half-million dollars now,” said Greene County Administrator Brandon Huddleson.
The water line will be extended to the airport from Indian Ripple Road along the proposed route for a future road dubbed the Valley Bell connector in county planning documents.
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The airport currently uses well water and a septic system, which would be insufficient to service fire suppression systems in buildings. Not having public water service at the airport is "a limiting factor to continued growth," according to the resolution.
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Commissioner Tom Koogler voted against the measure. During previous discussions, Koogler said he was not in favor of spending money on a project that may or may not happen, referring to the township's proposed fire station, which he said wouldn't be built until 2020.
Yellow Springs resident Dorothee Bouquet, who regularly attends commissioner meetings and has pushed to have the county video record them for public access, said she does not support the move.
“It troubles me that we’re going to put so much money into an airport that only serves private jets,” Bouquet said. “I don’t think a lot of residents are going to use that or if that creates a lot of jobs either.”
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