COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners decided during their work session on Thursday to bring forward to next week’s meeting a contract for 2025 with Branch County Memorial Airport Manager Joe Best.
The one year contract agreement calls for a $6,000 salary increase to $24,000.
While it was generally agreed Best was doing a good job running the airport, the agenda item touched off a nearly half hour discussion on the funding of airport operations.
Branch County Administrator Bud Norman said airport officials are looking at ways to handle a budget deficit of over $53,000.
Airport Board Chair Mike Kelly said operating a airport used to be simple.
Best was named the airport manager in May of 2018. Formal action by Commissioners on the contract is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Coldwater Airport is one of the finest little airports in the state of Michigan and it is a great asset to the community. Even if you are not a flying enthusiast. It has several events that the public enjoys throughout the year and you never know what neat vintage aircraft may show up.