The air traffic control tower at North Texas Regional Airport/Perrin Field went up in 1963, and the county says it is showing its age: a leaking roof, failing seals around the glass cab and backup equipment that cannot be counted on.
Grayson County commissioners will consider asking the Federal Aviation Administration for up to $1.55 million to fix it when they meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. On the same agenda is a resolution asking state lawmakers to let the county charge a hotel occupancy tax, with the money going to the county-owned airport.
The tower request
The draft application, prepared for the FAA's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act competitive grant program, lists Airport Manager Kyle Holtz as the contact. It describes a renovation that would replace the engine generator, radios, cab windows and shades, flooring and consoles in the 2,316-square-foot tower.
"The current ATCT is 63 years old with a leaking roof, compromised cab seals and many unreliable systems, such as the generator and light gun," the application says. It adds that newer radio technology would improve communication coverage on the airfield and with it, safety.
The county puts the total cost at $1.55 million and is requesting the full amount. The form projects that costs would be known by July 2027, bids or a guaranteed price would come in around June 2027, a grant would be signed in August 2027 and construction would start in November 2027.
The application marks the project as a repair and improvement of the existing tower, not a new or relocated one, and lists it as an airport-owned tower in the FAA Contract Tower Program.
A hotel tax for the airport
Commissioner Josh Marr of Precinct 1 brought the second item, Resolution 2026-042. It notes that a county needs permission from the Legislature before it can adopt a hotel occupancy tax, and it petitions lawmakers to grant Grayson County that authority.
