Le Sueur City Council approves airport land purchase, ends Hwy. 169 abatement

The city will purchase 19.31 acres near the Le Sueur Municipal Airport to extend the taxiway, while also terminating a tax abatement program along Highway 169.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Le Sueur City Council has approved the purchase of 19.31 acres of land near the Le Sueur Municipal Airport to support the city's plans for future expansion. The council also voted to terminate the Highway 169 tax abatement program and enter into a modified Joint Powers Agreement with Le Sueur County to determine how approximately $1.75 million in remaining funds will be spent.

Why it matters

The airport land purchase will allow the city to extend the existing taxiway, improving efficiency for pilots landing at the airport. The end of the Highway 169 tax abatement program marks the conclusion of a long-running partnership between the city and county to fund infrastructure improvements along the corridor.

The details

The city will purchase just over 13 acres of the 19.31-acre parcel, with the property owner donating the remaining 5.7 acres. The total project cost is $251,500, with the FAA and MnDOT covering 97.5% of the expense. The city's local share is estimated at just over $6,200. The Highway 169 tax abatement program was established in 2006 to develop a joint funding source for transportation and infrastructure improvements along the corridor. With approximately $1.75 million remaining in the fund, the city and county will cease putting additional dollars into the account and jointly manage the remaining funds.

  • On Feb. 9, the Le Sueur City Council approved the land purchase and the termination of the Highway 169 tax abatement program.

The players

Le Sueur City Council

The governing body of the city of Le Sueur, Minnesota, responsible for approving the airport land purchase and ending the Highway 169 tax abatement program.

Scott Churchill

The owner of the 19.31-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Le Sueur Municipal Airport, of which the city will purchase just over 13 acres.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency that will cover 97.5% of the costs for the airport land purchase project.

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)

The state transportation agency that will also cover 97.5% of the costs for the airport land purchase project.

Le Sueur County

The county that partnered with the city of Le Sueur on the Highway 169 tax abatement program and will now jointly manage the remaining $1.75 million in the fund.

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What they’re saying

“As with most airport projects, we have to wait until the timing is right for the FAA and the timing is right to pursue acquisition.”

— Joe Roby, City Administrator (southernminn.com)

“The benefit to the city here is that this is guaranteed. These are county tax dollars that would have just gone into the county general fund, but the county agreed to dedicate those funds to investment in the city of Le Sueur in that area specifically.”

— Joe Roby, City Administrator (southernminn.com)

What’s next

The city and county will work together to determine how the remaining $1.75 million in the Highway 169 tax abatement fund will be spent on future infrastructure improvements along the corridor.

The takeaway

The airport land purchase and end of the Highway 169 tax abatement program represent strategic moves by the Le Sueur City Council to invest in the city's transportation infrastructure and secure funding for future projects, demonstrating a commitment to the community's long-term development.