A land-owner wanting a pile of cash for his property has grounded plans to build a parallel taxiway at the Smithville Airport.

Airport Manager Joe Johnson reported to the city board of mayor and aldermen at their latest building that a single property owner is holding up progress as he is asking almost five times more than the land is worth. This comes after country music star Aaron Tippin and Ronnie Mack Davis have agreed to sell their land at assessed value for the taxiway project. However, property owner Eugene Minnear has thumbed his nose at the $35,150 offer for his 4.7 acres and has asked for $152,950.

Johnson told city fathers there is nothing special about the Minnear property, noting it is overgrown and has a barn on it. However, given its proximity to the landing strip, the land will be needed if plans are to go forward.

While their offer was rebuffed, city officials have asked City Attorney Vester Parsley to meet with Minnear and see if he can be convinced to accept an offer. If that proves unsuccessful, the board has authorized the attorney to play hard ball and file an eminent domain suit to have the land condemned, thereby forcing the sale at a price that would be determined by the court.

However, in the meantime the airport may miss deadlines in securing some of the $4.6 million in federal funds that it will cost to build the taxiway.

The need for a taxiway is a point of public safety, Johnson said, telling the board of mayor and aldermen it would allow plans to turn around and taxi back to the airport terminal once they land instead of having to use the same strip where they landed. Johnson pointed out there have been some close calls where planes have been taxiing while other planes are trying to land.