County Votes to Back Airport Bonds, Approves Major Facility Planning
Grand Traverse County commissioners voted narrowly to pledge the county's full faith and credit to as much as seventy one million dollars in bonds for Cherry Capital Airport, a move intended to lower borrowing costs for a planned one hundred twenty million dollar expansion. Commissioners also approved planning contracts for a new justice center and campus studies, held a hearing on repealing the county body art ordinance, and advanced Project Alpha improvements at LaFranier that will centralize emergency operations.
At a meeting on December 3, Grand Traverse County commissioners approved a slate of actions with long term implications for county infrastructure and fiscal exposure. The most consequential vote was a narrow 5 to 4 decision to pledge the county's full faith and credit to up to seventy one million dollars in bonds that Cherry Capital Airport will issue toward a planned one hundred twenty million dollar terminal and airfield expansion. The pledge is intended to reduce interest costs on the bonds by providing creditors with the county's backing.
The bond authorization prompted debate among commissioners and members of the public about the degree of county liability. The agreement adopted includes covenant protections intended to limit risk, including bond reserves and a rate covenant designed to ensure airport revenues cover debt service. Supporters said the backing will lower financing costs for the project, while opponents raised concerns about potential obligations for county taxpayers if airport revenues fall short.
Commissioners approved two significant planning contracts to move other county capital projects forward. The board awarded a one hundred ninety five thousand dollar contract to GFC International to lead planning for a new justice center. The board also contracted with Plante Moran Realpoint to conduct a joint planning process for the Governmental Center, the LaFranier campus and the Woodmere campus, a step toward coordinated long range facility decisions.
The board held a public hearing on repealing the county body art ordinance so the county may defer to stricter state regulations. No action to adopt a replacement county rule was taken at the meeting, leaving state standards to apply if the repeal is finalized.
County staff provided an update on Project Alpha at LaFranier, a public safety focused expansion estimated at twenty six point two to twenty seven point six million dollars. The project will add a combined emergency operations and 911 dispatch center plus centralized storage. Commissioners approved adding solar panels and a well to the plan and authorized nine thousand dollars in additional design expenses.
Taken together these votes reshape the county's capital agenda and its exposure to debt obligations. Residents can expect continued discussion of financing terms as bond details are finalized and as planning work identifies costs and timelines for the justice center and campus projects.
