BOCC, USFS agree to significant contract increase in Shoshone

SMELTERVILLE –– The Shoshone Board of County Commissioners scored a major win after they negotiated a new contract between the county and the United States Forest Service for the use of Shoshone County Airport. 

The new contract, which will run over the next five years, gives the USFS access to the rural airport for staging and heliport access during wildfire efforts for $600 per day, up to $50,000 per year.

According to BOCC Chairman Dave Dose, the USFS presented the board with a copy of the previous contract that had been in place – $100 per day, up to $1,500 – or 15 days of use. 

“We had our airport manager, Randy Childress, look into what some of our neighboring small airports were doing,” Dose said. “Once we had an idea what they were doing, the board approved me to negotiate with the Forest Service. I asked for a rate similar to what some of our neighbors were getting and they agreed.” 

In recent years, the small airport has provided strategic access for several wildfire-fighting efforts, many of which went well past the 15-day threshold that the USFS was paying. 

“We want this airport to become self-sustaining and not something that is dependent on our taxpayers,” Dose said. “This should be a significant increase in income for us whenever there are fires in the area.” 

As Dose mentioned, should the airport see heavy use during the coming fire season, the new contract would likely lead to a significant source of revenue for the county. 

The board has been very open with its aggressive search for new revenue streams for the county following the discovery of a reported budget shortfall and the potential for millions of dollars worth of future budget cuts if they cannot begin generating more revenue. 

According to the approved Shoshone County budget for the 2023/24 fiscal year, the airport’s annual budget comes in just below $95,000, with almost $25,000 reportedly coming from levied money. The county estimated that the airport would bring in over $54,000 in revenue from hangar rentals and fuel sales, this along with levied funds and cash balances would cover the budget for the year. 

According to Dose, under the new contract with the USFS, should the airport hit the $50,000 cap, the airport would cover its annual budget with revenue alone. 

“It’s important that no potential revenue streams be overlooked,” Commissioner Tracy Casady said.