A Red Deer Regional Airport request to Red Deer County for another $122,500 did not fly with council.
The funding increase was among a list of amendments to the 2025 budget approved by county council last November. It would have boosted the county's airport contribution by 7.5 per cent to $1.75 million from $1.62 million.
That increase was part of about $491,000 in proposed operating budget increases and $423,000 in capital budget increases.
A number of councillors expressed reservations with what they saw as an 11th-hour budget change with little discussion with airport administration to hear the rationale.
The airport authority said it hoped to revisit the shortfall question during a mid-year budget review. The requested 2025 funds were to include $442,000 for operating expenses and about $1.8 million for capital improvements, including upgrades to a paved apron area.
Coun. Philip Massier suggested the contentious airport increase be dealt with separately.
Coun. Lonny Kennett said the county has provided much support for the airport and he did not support the latest funding increase.
"It's not like we're not helping them out fully," he said.
That the additional funding request seemingly came out of the blue did not sit well with Coun. Dana Depalme.
"The biggest thing for me is there was no discussion. The communication has got to get way better going forward."
For Coun. Christine Moore, the additional airport funding was only one increase among others, she was reluctant to support at a time when council should be showing financial belt-tightening for ratepayers.
Assistant county manager Dave Dittrick said the request for extra funding was linked to the difference between county and airport budgeting. The county operates under three-year budgets, but the airport creates an annual budget, and in creating the 2025 budget, the need for additional funding was identified.
Mayor Jim Wood urged council to approve the additional funding, pointing out the potential of the airport as an economic driver that takes the region to the next level.
"We need to vote in favour. It's an investment in the future of this area."
Wood's appeal apparently did not change any minds and the airport funding motion lost 6-1.
The motion to approve the rest of the budget changes passed 4-3 with Councillors Kennett, Depalme and Moore against.
