Beatrice Airport Manager retiring at the end of September

BEATRICE – One of the longest serving employees of the City of Beatrice plans to retire at the end of September.  Diana Smith has been with the Beatrice Municipal Airport for about 51 years, the past 22 as the airport’s manager.

"I have always appreciated the support for all my years I've been out there. I had the opportunity to become an employee of the City of Beatrice, so that means a lot. I've felt blessed to have that opportunity all of these years."

Smith was before the Beatrice Mayor and City Council as the council approved the property tax allocation for the municipal airport for this coming year.
The allocation and tax levy of the facility will decrease this coming year

"The total tax levy the airport is asking for is point-0-1-7-3-2-7. It's a decrease from last year when it was point-0-1-8-0-9-8."

City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says the airport is requesting $128,000 in tax support for the coming year, a decrease from the past year’s $133,000.
"Largely due to the fact that they have no operating debt out at the airport. With no operating debt, they have no debt levy, which helped bring their tax levy down for this year."

Major improvements in recent years at the airport have included resurfacing runways and taxi areas and installation of upgraded lighting systems.
Taking over for Smith will be Dennis Schmitt, who has been training for the role of manager since July 1st. He comes to the area from Olathe, Kansas and is an Ord, Nebraska native. His wife is originally from Beatrice.

Smith took over as Manager at the Beatrice Municipal Airport when Manager Don Fitzwater retired.