Four airport projects – three in Jamestown and one in Dunkirk – are moving ahead, despite concerns raised about the costs.

During the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, lawmakers agreed to move ahead with the design phase of the reconstruction of the terminal apron at the Jamestown airport, the construction phase to replace 34 airfield guidance signs at the Jamestown airport, design phase of the rehabilitation of Taxiway A West at the Dunkirk airport, and for the design phase to remove obstructions from two runways in Jamestown.

The federal government is funding 95% of each project, the state is funding 2.5% of each project and the county is responsible to fund the remaining 2.5%.

For the design of the terminal apron at the Jamestown airport, it will cost $212,000. Of that amount, the county is responsible for $5,300.

For the replacement of 34 airfield guidance signs in Jamestown, it will cost $469,920. Of that amount, the county is responsible for $11,748.

For the design of the rehabilitation of Taxiway A West in Dunkirk, it will cost $143,172. Of that amount, the county is responsible for $3,580.

For the design to remove obstructions from two runways in Jamestown, it will cost $151,050. Of that amount, the county is responsible for $3,975.

Any time federal money is received for airport projects, Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia votes against them, arguing that accepting money keeps the county in the airport business.

That was the case again in these four resolutions. But Scudder was not alone in his opposition.

During the Audit and Control Committee, Legislator Fred Johnson, R-Westfield questioned the high cost of the design work.

“For $212,000 the taxpayers are buying paper, a report and drawings,” he said, referring to the design work of the terminal apron.

Airports Director John John Machemer said although the price seems high, he did call it “reasonable” and noted that if it wasn’t, the Federal Aviation Administration, which provides 95% of the funding, would have objected.

“They have a keen eye for the engineering that’s involved with projects like this – the drawings, the oversight, all of that. I certainly trust that if the number was askew, the FAA would recognize that because they have the most skin in the game,” he said.

Johnson, during the committee meeting, also questioned the cost of $469,920 for 34 airfield guidance signs.

“It’s $13,000 a sign. It boggles the mind,” he said.

During the full legislature meeting, Johnson expressed his opposition to the airport resolutions.

“It’s just too much money for us to be signing off on it this easily,” he said.

The legislature passed the four resolutions by a 13-4 vote. Along with Scudder and Johnson, Legislators Tom Carle, D-Fredonia, and Dan Pavlock, R-Ellington voted no.