SEL to move jets to Lewiston airport

Lewiston city councilors met with Nez Perce County Commissioners to provide budget updates, revealing a $661,000 deficit at the airport following United Airlines' exit in February. Airport Director Mike Isaacs suggested potential funding through the sale of excess property, appraised at $335,000, that the airport no longer needs. In a positive development, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories plans to relocate its corporate jets to Lewiston, thereby escaping a new 10% luxury tax imposed by Washington State on aircraft valued over $500,000. This move will allow SEL to construct at least one hangar in Lewiston while continuing operations at the Moscow-Pullman Airport. City Attorney Jennifer Tengono confirmed a 33% budget increase for the county prosecutor's office, raising costs from $115,000 to $154,000, which covers one prosecutor and part of a support staff's time.

The legal responsibilities are divided, with the city handling misdemeanors and the county managing felonies. City councilors were ready to approve the funding agreement, but Commissioner Doug Havens requested additional time for the county to consider it. This budget discussion underscores the financial challenges faced by local government entities in the region.