Several Payson airport tenants used the public comment period on Oct. 22 to press the council on a new hangar contract and maintenance issues at the Meadows Airpark.

Mike White, who identified himself as a tenant, said tenants have been “overcharged $81 a month since last July” under a recently distributed contract and described the agreement as “one-sided” and coercive because tenants were given less than a week to sign or face eviction. White argued the contract contradicts terms shown in an airport coordinator's May 14 cost document and said it improperly charges tenants for electricity even though the financial justification showed the town would pay utilities, insurance and taxes. He alleged the contract contains restrictions inconsistent with aviation practice, including limits on fuel storage (citing a disagreement with the town's Fire Marshal) and language prohibiting co-ownership arrangements common among aircraft owners.

Thomas West, another tenant who rents multiple hangars, urged the town to hire an airport maintenance technician. West described recurring minor repairs—exterior light bulbs, a broken pulley, a malfunctioning tractor—and said tenants have performed repairs themselves because town staff declined to do so. He pointed to a Mesa Gateway Airport job posting as an example of duties for a maintenance technician and said he or other part-time local tradespeople could fill a part-time maintenance role.

Council response: The mayor and Town Manager Darren acknowledged the concerns and said the contract and fee schedule could be placed on a future council agenda; Darren said the fee schedule is normally reviewed annually but could be brought forward earlier. Council members requested staff to provide an update and to speak with airport staff and commissioners about amending the contract and addressing maintenance staffing.

Why it matters: Tenants said contract terms may conflict with state statute and accepted aviation practices and requested clearer timelines, equitable fees and on-site maintenance to keep hangars safely operable.

Officials and next steps: Town Manager Darren said staff can put the hangar contract and fee schedule on an upcoming agenda (the manager said he could bring it with the new fee schedule or earlier if directed). Council asked staff to follow up with airport staff and commissioners and return with options, including possible contract amendments or fee clarifications.