PRESENTER: Presenter
Dr. Robert Lee, Airport Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of New Braunfels authorizing the City Manager to act on behalf of the City of New Braunfels and the New Braunfels National Airport in all matters regarding the application to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Contract Tower (FCT) competitive grant program, and pledging that the City of New Braunfels will comply with the grant requirements of the Texas Department of Transportation.
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DEPARTMENT: New Braunfels National Airport and Finance
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The 2019 Airport Master Plan recommended the relocation of the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). In 2022, the City applied for and was awarded $1,462,619 in the first year of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s (IIJA) Federal Aviation Administration Contract Tower (FCT) Competitive Grant Program. The Texas Department of Transportation- Aviation Division (TxDOT) administers the federal grant program on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). After the award, the City entered a contract with KSA Engineers, Inc. in July 2023 to complete a siting study, site selection, environmental review, and full design for the tower replacement project. Following FAA budget amendments, available grant funding supported completion of preliminary design to the site selection and preliminary (30%) design milestone. The siting study was completed and accepted by the FAA for the airport’s future Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) location.
This Resolution approves a submission for grant funding for the FY2027 FCT cycle for the remaining design and construction activities needed to relocate and replace the existing ATCT. Final design costs are estimated at $1,250,000. Final construction cost estimates are being finalized based on the estimated costs of the remaining project activities and will be confirmed before application submission. The application for grant funding closes October 19, 2026.
ISSUE:
This Resolution approves a submission for grant funding for the FY2027 FCT Competitive Grant Program funding for final design, construction support services, TxDOT administration, and construction of a replacement air traffic control tower.
The proposed relocation and replacement of the existing air traffic control tower is intended to improve controllers’ visibility of the runways and airfield and support safe and efficient air traffic control operations.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
Economic Mobility - Strengthens the regional economic engine and supports broader regional competitiveness.
The airport is a critical economic asset supporting aviation businesses, corporate travel, freight logistics, and tourism. Modern aviation infrastructure positions New Braunfels more competitively within the Austin-San Antonio corridor, contributing to regional mobility and economic mobility for residents and businesses. A modernized control tower increases operational safety and capacity, making the airport more attractive to employers and private-sector investment supporting high wage jobs and aviation related enterprises.
Enhanced Connectivity- Improves the safety and reliability of air operations
Enhanced controller visibility and optimized tower placement reduce operational constraints.
Enhanced Connectivity- Expands the airport’s ability to support diverse aviation activity
Better air traffic control infrastructure accommodates higher traffic volumes, more complex aircraft operations and potential growth in commercial or charter services. Each of these expands the community’s multimodal transportation options.
Organizational Excellence- Leverages external funding to reduce local financial burden
Considering statutory and market-based factors, continue to diversify revenue streams to support long-term fiscal sustainability of the Organization. Pursuing federal grant funding for the tower replacement supports this objective by seeking an external funding source for a major airport capital improvement and reducing reliance on City funds for eligible project costs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FY 2027 FCT Competitive Grant Program provides a 100% federal share of eligible, approved project costs, with no required local match. If awarded, reimbursement will be subject to the grant agreement, applicable requirements, and the amount awarded. The Airport Fund will initially advance project costs pending reimbursement.
If funding is awarded, staff will bring the necessary budget amendments to City Council to establish expenditure authority for the project within the Airport Fund. Any costs that are ineligible for reimbursement or exceed the approved award amount would require another funding source.
Approval of this resolution authorizes the grant application; it does not establish project expenditure authority nor does it approve a final design or construction contract.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution.