ESCANABA — Delta County Administrator Ashleigh Young accepted the airport manager position during the Delta County Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday.

Young has served as the county’s interim airport manager since the departure of Former Airport Manager Robert Ranstadler in January. She had also served as the interim airport manager following the departure of Ranstadler’s predecessor, Andrea Nummilien, for a period in 2023. She completed her airport manager licensing examination earlier this month, allowing her to hold the position on a permanent basis.

Delta County Board Chair John Malnar highlighted her qualifications, saying she also holds and airport coordinator certificate, a bachelor’s degree in business administration management, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and minored in marketing.

Young was offered the position during a special meeting on Monday but did not accept immediately.

Malnar said he and Young spent time negotiating the salary for the position on Wednesday.

“She had a hard line of 85,000, and we did some discussion,” Malnar said.

Malnar countered at $77,500, and Young responded with $80,000.

The two ultimately agreed on $80,000, with the salary to start after the completion of her 60-day notice of her leaving the administrator position. Her start date would be scheduled for June 23. Per negotiations, Young’s salary would increase on Oct. 1 by $5,000, bringing her salary to $85,000.

Commissioner Kelli van Ginhoven asked if the $5,000 increase was dependent on any factors, such as completing specific tasks; Malnar said the increase was not dependent on anything.

“In my opinion, if we were to agree to this, we would need to have something that is tied to this $5,000 increase because it’s not $5,000 for just this one-time action. It’s then every year,” Commissioner Christine Williams said.

She asked why the increase couldn’t be attached to factors such as the upcoming FAA inspection or the tri-annual exercise, among other factors.

Commissioner Kelli van Ginhoven referenced Ranstadler, who started with a salary of $58,000 in October of 2023.

She also clarified that she was not on the board when Randstadler was hired.

Ranstadler received a $2,000 pay bump in his salary after completing this airport manager license from the state.

“I think what’s important is that the increase is tied to something. There’s a value that the county is receiving — not just time, but actually something that’s stated. It’s something that’s specific. It’s a goal, it’s an expectation, and I think that’s what’s important here,” Williams said.

She clarified that she doesn’t doubt the airport will pass the FAA inspection and the tri-annual exercise under Young’s guidance.

“And everything else, for that matter. But I think it’s important that if we’re going to agree to increase someone’s salary in some period of time, that there is something in return for that and not just time passes. That’s what’s important to me,” Williams said.

After further discussion, van Ginhoven suggested tying the salary increase to the completion of the Part 139 Airport Certification.

“Part 139 is our FA regulations with the commercial side. It’s our airport certificate and it’s a training course that is being provided that is the basics of an individual coming into airport operations and knowing the terminology and all of that,” Young explained.

Van Ginhoven said she believes Young is worth the $85,000 based on her role as interim airport manager and her thoroughness in her position.

“We have to look at longevity, and I believe that she’s here for the long haul as well,” she said.

It was also noted that Young may start earlier than June 23 if the administrator position is filled before her 60-day notice is up.

After hearing the board’s terms, Young asked to think about it for a few minutes. The board then took a brief recess.

After recess, Young said she would accept the position, and the board unanimously agreed to modify the contract and hire Young as the new airport manager.

With Youngs’ hiring, the board is now tasked with finding her replacement.

The board discussed how they should structure the position as Young was doing the jobs of four people, including her interim airport manager role.

Van Ginhoven suggested separating the controller and HR positions and making three openings in the county office including a controller, an administrator and a HR specialist.

“I do feel that the administrator and controller should have never been recombined in the first place, and we’ve had the HR specialist out for applications for a year already with no qualified candidates,” she said.

Malnar suggested combining the HR and administrator positions, and hiring a controller.

Williams suggested hiring a controller and an administrator, “But the administrator would work with the existing positions to determine whether or not there could be some re-organization that can fulfill some of this HR responsibility.”

The controller and administrator description will go to the personnel and finance committees for review next week before heading back to the board on May 6, where the board will decide how the positions will be structured.