Board approves raise for airport director
The Great Falls International Airport board recently gave the airport a director a favorable review and pay increase.
John Faulkner has been the airport director since 2010.
During their May 28 meeting, the airport board unanimously voted to approve a three percent pay increase for Faulkner.
That brings his annual salary to $197,752.
The board reviewed Faulkner’s performance during a closed session, but afterward Casey LaLonde, board chair, told The Electric that “overall, Johns feedback was very favorable around the table. We are very pleased with his performance in navigating challenges and tackling new projects to keep the airport heading in the right direction. He is Great Falls’ biggest advocate and we are happy to keep him on board. ”
The board also added a one-year extension to his current contract, keeping him on staff through May 2027, LaLonde said.
Airport director gets raise; among top paid public officials in Great Falls [2023]
Faulkner told The Electric that airport traffic has recovered to pre-COVID levels.
The airport historically generated 2.4 to 3.1 trips per person living in Great Falls and the traffic has been within that range for the last two years, Faulkner said.
“The challenge is how we break out of that range that has bound airport traffic for 35 years,” he said. Attracting additional summer service to a small community in light of the pilot shortage and the transition to larger aircraft is difficult; however, local businesses and individuals are coming together through the Great Falls Area Chamber to establish an airline incentive fund and we are working with several airlines to deploy those incentives in 2025 for new flights to California.”
The airport received a Small Community Air Service Development grant in 2022 to pursue new air service to Dallas-Fort Worth.
The grant doesn’t guarantee the new air service but it does help Great Falls establish a minimum annual revenue guarantee for a new flight.
Great Falls airport receives grant for new Dallas-Fort Worth flights [2022]
The grant is about 55 percent SCASD grant funds that are matched by community funds, Faulkner said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, which administers the grant, approved an amendment allowing the airport to also pursue California flights.
He said the grant has one more year and the potential to be amended for more time.
Faulkner said the Great Falls airport has maintained the lowest or second lowest airline rates in the state to encourage air service growth by revenue diversification such as attracting Love’s, IState Trucking, EagleJet and recently built new industrial condo spaces that are now available for rent or purchase.
The airport terminal marks its 50th birthday this year and Faulkner said the airport is continuing to modernize that area. Over the last two years, the airline bag screening process, IT infrastructure and ticket counters were updated.
The airport is planning more upgrades over the next two years, but increased costs have slowed those efforts, he said.
Last summer, the airport board increased Faulkner’s salary by 3.78 percent to $191,993.15 and have him five additional personal days.
In 2021, the board gave Faulkner a favorable review but didn’t recommend a raise. The board did authorize a one-time $5,000 bonus.
Faulkner is among the top paid public officials in Great Falls.
During a May 7 meeting, City Commissioners voted to increase the city manager’s base salary by four percent.
Commissioners give city manager favorable review, salary increase
The increase is $7,605, bringing City Manager Greg Doyon’s base salary to $197,747.68, retroactive to Doyon’s anniversary date of March 24.
Doyon’s current contract runs through April 2026.
Commissioners extend city manager contract, increase salary [2023]
In March, the Great Falls Public Schools board unanimously approved a three-year contract for Heather Hoyer, who assumes the role of superintendent on July 1, with a starting salary of $175,000.
GFPS board approves Hoyer superintendent contract
Hoyer is replacing Tom Moore who was selected as superintendent in 2019 and is retiring this summer.
Great Falls Public Schools Superintendent Tom Moore was selected in 2019.
GFPS board approves teachers, superintendent pay increases
During a May 31 county compensation board meeting, the board approved a 4.1 percent increase for elected officials and a six percent increase for the sheriff.
Those increased aren’t final until approved by the County Commission during their budget process.
County board approves salary increases for elected officials, non-union employees
With the increases recommended by the board, the base salary for county commissioners, treasurer, clerk and recorder, clerk of court and justices of the peace will increase to $78,164.84.
With the six percent increase, plus statutory add ons and the longevity increase, the sheriff’s total salary will increase to $110,103.
The county attorney’s salary is capped this year at $148,872, which is the same salary for the four district court judges in the county.
Pingback: Commissioners approve city manager salary increase - The Electric